The Fear of a Father
by 
I know how father’s strap would feel,
If ever I were caught,
So mother’s jam I did not steal,
Though theft was in my thought.
Then turned fourteen and full of pitch,
Of love I was afraid,
And did not dare to dally with
Our pretty parlour maid.
And so it is and always was,
The path of rectitude
I’ve followed all my life because
The Parson said I should
The dread of hell-fire held me straight
When I was wont to stray,
And though my guts I often hate,
I walk the narrow way.
I might have been a bandit or
A Casanovish blade,
But always I have prospered for
I’ve always been afraid;
Ay, fear’s behind the best of us
And schools us for success,
And that is why I’m virtuous,
And happy – more or less.
So let me hail that mighty power
That goads me to be good,
And makes me cannily to cower
Amid foolhardihood;
Though I be criminal in gain,
My virtue a veneer,
I thank the God who keeps me sane,
And shields me from distress and pain,
And thrifts me on to golden gain,
Almighty Fear.
– “Fear” by Robert William Service
Fear, I’m afraid, is an unsung hero in the 21st century. But why? Fear is the virtue that safeguards against all vices. Fear is the virtue that constrains one to the straight and narrow path. Fear is the virtue that keeps one from making and meeting their own demise. Fear is the virtue.
The world hates fear. Why? Because fear would: a) imply that there is something/Someone bigger than us that we must subject ourselves to, b) imply that we cannot simply live however we please, and c) imply that we will reap the consequences of unrepentant behavior.
Some Christians water down fear. Why? Because they mistakenly believe that: a) fear is just another word for “admiration”, b) fear equals weak faith, and c) fear will cause the unbeliever to recoil from conversion.
I share Robert William Service’s attitude toward fear…I believe that it is meant to be a positive, healthy motivator in the life of a Christian. In Mr. Service’s poem, the fear of a father propelled one young man to fear his heavenly Father when he came of age. The young man grew to applaud this fear that prohibited him from giving in to sinful desires, allowing him to make right choices instead. I am convinced that The Fear of a Father should likewise be present with each of us.
“What exactly does this fear of a father look like?” you may be asking. I will propose that fearing the Lord is a two-sided coin. One side of that coin is…
God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. – John 4:24 (emphasis added)
God’s truth incites my reverence. Reverence is defined as: (1) A feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe; veneration. (2) The outward manifestation of this feeling. (3) A gesture indicative of deep respect; an obeisance, bow, or curtsy.
To fear God with my reverence is to acknowledge Who is boss, to bow my knee before Him, and to wholly subdue myself to His authority. To fear God is to be grounded in and obedient to His truth: the truth. It is a common occurrence to hear of “your” truth or “my” truth in today’s vernacular…but be warned, such speech is idolatrous. If “your” truth or “my” truth is not God’s truth, then this so-called “truth” is not truth at all. There is only one truth – the sum of God’s word – and we must revere it or we are none of His. Let’s learn the value of reverence through the 5 W’s:
1. Who do we reverence in fear?
I say to you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! – Luke 12:4-5
2. What is reverence in fear?
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted mouth, I hate. – Proverbs 8:13
3. When do we reverence in fear?
If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth… – 1 Peter 1:17
4. Where do we reverence in fear?
Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. – Psalm 33:8
5. Why do we reverence in fear?
...by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil. – Proverbs 16:6b
Reverence requires us to (1) fear God and (2) hate evil (3) all our life (4) on earth (5) to keep away from said evil. Reverence saves one from oneself. It is blessed security. Let’s not water down fear, but rather embrace it for the gift of protection that it is.
Now remember, the fear of the Lord is a two-sided coin. Fear involves my reverence, yet it also includes…
God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. – John 4:24 (emphasis added)
God’s spirit inspires my reverie. Reverie is defined as: (1) A state of dreamy meditation or fanciful musing. (2) A daydream. (3) A fantastic, visionary, or impractical idea.
To fear God is to be linked in spirit to a heavenly dimension, even while our body remains linked to this earthly dimension. To fear God is to be largely unaffected by negative and unpleasant surroundings, for our head is always “in the clouds”, as it were. I am not implying oblivion, but rather a form of lucid dreaming. We are to be awake and aware in this world, while simultaneously keeping our eye on that “dreamworld” beyond. Let’s learn the value of reverie through the 5 W’s:
1. Who finds reverie in fear?
The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He will make them know His covenant. – Psalms 25:14
2. What is reverie in fear?
In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and his children will have refuge. – Proverbs 14:26
3. When do we find reverie in fear?
If you seek her [wisdom] as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. – Proverbs 2:4-5 (context clarification added)
4. Where is there reverie in fear?
…I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. – Acts 10:34b-35
5. Why is there reverie in fear?
The fear of the Lord leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil. – Proverbs 19:23
Reverie allows us to (1) access God’s secret place (2) with strong confidence (3) when we seek His wisdom (4) in any and every nation (5) leading to life, peace, and refuge. Reverie is having a mind set on things above. It is seeing the bigger picture amidst a chaotic world. Ironically, the fear of God makes us quite unafraid of all else. Those who sow seeds of reverence will reap blooms of reverie.
In conclusion…
Fearing the Lord is a two-sided coin. We must worship our God in spirit (reverie) and in truth (reverence). Those who embrace both will come to echo Mr. Service’s sentiments:
“I thank the God who keeps me sane,
And shields me from distress and pain,
And thrifts me on to golden gain,
Almighty Fear.“
The bravest souls are those who choose to live by The Fear of a Father.
The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. – Ecclesiastes 12:13
For God’s glory,
Mrs. Dustin Bolks
Chaste Bolks is a church of Christ preacher’s wife, and the home educating mother of two children. She and her family currently reside in Northwest Iowa.
