Scripture: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” – Proverbs 9:10
“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” – Matthew 10:28
Teshuvah brings us face-to-face with God’s holiness. Healthy awe—what the Scriptures call “fear of the Lord”—is not terror but reverence. It aligns our hearts to honor Him above all else. Without it, repentance becomes casual, even careless.
The Hebrew concept of yirat Adonai is a reverent awareness that God sees, knows, and weighs all things. Yeshua reminded His disciples not to fear people, but to rightly revere God. This holy fear guards us against compromise and keeps us rooted in truth.
When we cultivate awe, our repentance deepens. We no longer toy with sin, because we see it for what it is: rebellion against a holy God who loves us. Awe transforms us into worshippers who desire to please Him.
Reflection: – Do you treat God’s presence casually or reverently? – How does awe shape your repentance?
Prayer: Lord, give me a holy fear of You—not terror, but reverent awe. Let it shape my life and deepen my repentance. Amen.
