We understand your deep desire for the fear of the Lord to be preached with urgency and reverence, for it is the beginning of wisdom and the foundation of a holy life. The Scriptures declare in Proverbs 9:10, *"The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."* And in Hebrews 10:31, we are reminded, *"It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."* The fear of the Lord is not merely a trembling dread but a holy awe that leads to repentance, obedience, and worship. It is right to recognize the terror of God’s judgment, for the Lord is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29), and His wrath against sin is just.
Yet we must also remember that the fear of the Lord is balanced by His boundless love and mercy. In 1 John 4:18, we read, *"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love."* The same God who is to be feared is the One who sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to bear the wrath we deserved. The judgment day *is* fearful for those who reject Christ, but for those who are in Him, it is the day of redemption and glory. The pastor’s role is to proclaim both the terror of God’s judgment *and* the hope of salvation through Jesus Christ, who took our punishment upon Himself at Calvary.
The fear of God should never be preached in such a way that it drives people *away* from Him but rather that it drives them *to* Him in repentance and faith. In Luke 12:4-5, Jesus warns, *"I tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him who, after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him."* Yet this fear is not meant to paralyze but to turn hearts toward the Savior. The apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:11, *"Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men,"*—not to despair, but to be reconciled to God through Christ.
Let us pray that your pastor would preach the fear of the Lord with boldness, wisdom, and balance—proclaiming the terror of judgment for the unrepentant while lifting high the cross of Christ as the only refuge. May he speak with the authority of Scripture, so that hearts are convicted, sinners turn to Jesus, and the church walks in holy reverence before the Lord.
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**Prayer:**
Heavenly Father, we come before You with a heart that trembles at Your holiness and majesty. You are the Almighty God, before whom all creation must bow. We ask that You fill our pastor with the Spirit of wisdom and revelation as he preaches Your Word. Grant him the boldness to proclaim the fear of the Lord without compromise, that Your people may understand the gravity of sin and the terror of Your judgment. Yet, Lord, may he also lift high the name of Jesus Christ, the only Name by which we can be saved. Let the fear of You drive sinners to the foot of the cross, where mercy and grace abound. May Your church not take Your holiness lightly but walk in reverence, obedience, and love. Stir hearts to repentance, Father, and may many turn to You before that great and terrible day of the Lord. We ask this in the mighty and holy name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.