Benefits of the Fear of the Lord

Job has the testimony that he feared God and hated evil. Besides evidence from the very first verse in the book, we know from the conversation about Job between God and Satan. Let’s listen in.

And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. (Job 1:8-10)

Let’s push pause there. I think this might be the only time in the Bible that we hear Satan praise God for His awesomeness (in his accusatory Satanic way, but nonetheless). And what he said backs up what the rest of the Bible teaches about the benefit of fearing God. Here are the blessings Job enjoyed, per Satan:

• Hast not thou made an hedge about him, (protection)
• and about all that he hath on every side? (protection for his family and his stuff)
• thou hast blessed the work of his hands, (productivity)
• and his substance is increased in the land. (provision)

Was Job a special case? Or does God provide these benefits to any and all who truly fear Him? Don’t miss the fact that while Job feared God on the inside, God blessed him on the outside. Satan was smart enough to give God credit for the fact that Job, and his family as a result, lived a protected life, successful and profitable in his work, enjoying personal abundance. Job lived a charmed life. It was the result of fearing God, and you can expect the same if you truly fear the Lord (notice my previous post on exactly what that means).

Here are the verses to back it up.

• In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. (Prov. 14:26)—Protection for you and your kids
• The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. (Psa. 34:7-10)—Protection and provision
• He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great. The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children. (Psa. 115:13-14)—Productivity.
• The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. (Prov. 19:23)—Protection.

But we can’t take this and run with a “prosperity gospel” theme where we encourage others to trust Christ and their life will be an enviable dream of success. First, it’s one thing to pray a prayer accepting Christ—and quite another to live a life that fears God. That requires a heart that wants to know, love, obey and serve Him evidenced by daily sitting at His feet in front of the Bible (see my previous post).

But beyond that, God reserves the right to test our fear of Him. That might require touching our protection, productivity and provision. That’s exactly what happened to Job, and it resulted from Satan standing before God and having a discussion about Job’s fear of the Lord.

Was Job an isolated case? Probably not. Satan is the accuser of the brethren, even if he’s accusing God for how blessed we are. (Rev. 12:10) So while there are promises of prosperity and success (Josh. 1:8, Psa. 1:1-3), there is always God who tests and teaches obedience through suffering (Heb. 5:8).

But the bottom line is that Job still feared the Lord through it all, because one who fears the Lord knows, loves, obeys and serves Him. Job said, Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. (Job 13:15)

After he was tried, his life went back to a testimony of protection, productivity and provision. So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning. (Job 42:12a)

Now, having said all that, if you know, love, obey and serve God, that’s a testimony that you fear Him. I’ll bet your life shows God’s protection and provision. Take some time to recognize that and give God the praise.

But if your life is a mess in every way, it begs the question—do you fear the Lord?

Jody