Introduction

‘So I continued, ‘What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let us stop charging interest!’ Nehemiah 5:9-10

In warning the Corinthians against idolatry, Paul taught them some of the promises of God – that He will a Father to them and that Christians will be His children. Based on these promises, Paul encouraged them to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. The Hebrew writer explains that we should be thankful and so worship God with reverence and awe (godly fear), for our God is a consuming fire, Hebrews 12:28-29.

How can we walk with God without His fear? This is absolutely inconceivable. In the days of Nehemiah, the nobles and the officials were involved in extortion. They were impoverishing the poor. This came to the knowledge of Nehemiah and he became deeply worried about it. He challenged them of selling their own people.

Let’s hear what he said to them: ‘What you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies? I also, with my brethren and my servants, am lending them money and grain. Please, let us stop this usury!’ Nehemiah 5:9-10.

As God’s children, we should constantly give Him the reverence that is due to Him by imbibing His fear in all we do. This does not mean that we live like timid people, but that we live victorious lives that are adorned by the fear of the Almighty.

God’s fear in us sets us apart from the pack. His fear which we have imbibed will help us to constantly remember His words and like the Psalmist, we can boldly say: ‘Your word have I kept in my heart so that I might not sin against You.’ Psalm 119:11.

‘Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.’ Therefore, ‘Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.’ And, ‘I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’ Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.’ 2 Corinthians 6:14-2 Corinthians 7:1

Prayer

Dear heavenly Father, we hallow Your most holy name. May we fully imbibe Your fear in all we do that our lives will be great examples for others to follow the Saviour. May people see You in all we do and say. This we ask in Your Son’s name.