FOG.

Fear of God. The first place the Bible unites those words in that phrase is: 1Sa 11:7 And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.

But didn't it come so much earlier in the garden with the hungry couple. They feared the Lord, when recognizing their nakedness, they hid from Him. Naked, bare, shamed even. Even brassy Peter, jumped in the water to hide his nakedness, recognizing his backslidden condition. I have noticed a trend of people not having the Fear of God within. We describe this phrase as meaning awesome reverence, dread or fear.

When we sin, I don't know about you, but there is a spiritual change in the "atmosphere". I remember the first time I "crossed the line" in a realm of fear. I honestly thought that the sky would cave in.

I know that Jesus went to the cross, carrying my sin, past and present-even future! I know that He shed His blood for the remission of my sins, the taking away of them. And somewhere in there I still know that. But each time I err, miss the mark...sin! I feel the darkness enter over me. Does that mean I do not sin, certainly not. Some days I feel like there is not enough blood in heaven to erase my day.

But I have a real concern about the spiritual condition we entertain. Fear of God, does not to be somewhere high on people's hit parade of concern. When I traveled to a major meeting, and had never been to a "powerhouse meeting", I remember thinking the whole 8 hour trip...what if God shows up? What if I am not clean? I was afraid!!! I still see God like that. Not that He is not a God of love and kindness and grace...I don't mean that. I mean-do we want to be holy? Do we care about our spiritual condition? Or are we more concerned about telling everyone in church about our week at work.

Why don't we have a fear of God? Because we are not taught it? I am not talking about slapping Ananias and Sapphira over the pulpit each and every week. I am talking about a God of grace and judgement. Not some legalistic angry God. But God.

I had to discipline two youth last week. To not discipline them talks about lack of love in Proverbs. They won't be here this Friday. They lose. We lose because we don't have them.

Check this out. "And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent."

We pray for unity. It is our hearts cry. Is there a key somewhere in this 1 Samuel scripture? How about this one?

Proverbs 22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

Three desires of man's heart and the key is fear of the Lord. Reverence before Him. Holiness. How can we have fear of the Lord and abuse His scriptures. I don't think we can.