The Hope of the Believer . . .

Restoration Review, Vol. 31, No. 2, February 1989

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FEAR GOD? 

Cecil Hook 

My father moved his family to the virgin soil in West Texas. With a grubbing hoe and a double bitted axe he cleared the heavy mesquite trees. The mesquite supplied our needs for firewood during my upbringing. He could wield that axe with accuracy and force.

As a first generation American, he was austere and a hard working man. Even though he gave himself untiringly in providing for us, he never told me that he loved me or gave me a hug. When we disobeyed him, we were in awe of his displeasure and shrank from his discipline.

Even though I feared when I disobeyed him, I was never in fear of his axe. I had an overall sense of acceptance as a son and was supported by his unexpressed love. Never once did I fear that he might want to destroy me with his axe.

In those times, safety razors and electric shavers had not come into use. My father shaved himself with the usual straight razor which had to be strapped regularly in order to keep it sharp. His double thoned strap hung on a nail on the door facing. Dad had another use for that strap than just to hone his razor; he honed character with it!

While Dad's menacing looking axe brought no fears, I was terrified by his razor strap. Don't misinterpret; he was not an abusive father; he just wanted good kids. And I consider that he was successful in his efforts.

Really, it was not the licking that hurt so much as it was my knowing that I had disobeyed him, aroused his displeasure, and strained the peaceful, loving relationship that we had in the family.

In the Scriptures we are taught to fear God, and there are some awesome demonstrations of his displeasure recorded. At the same time, the greatest attribute of God is shown to be love. In many ways he has demonstrated that love for us. His love begets love in us for him. While accepting us as his children, he has assured us that he disciplines as a father corrects his children.

There is no fear in love. Perfect love casts out fear. There is peace and security in our relationship.

I do not live in fear of his axe of destruction in hell; yet I fear his razor strap of discipline which he uses to direct me into being a more mature son of his. God is not bent on destroying me but is intent on saving me so that we can be together forever.

If, however, I should turn my back on him and his Son and deliberately choose a course of rejection and impiety, I would have cause to tremble in constant fear. For such a person, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb. 10:31). But such fear does not afflict the child of his who loves him and is sincerely trying to live in fellowship with him.