In November, Pastor Joe and I took a great group of people with us to the Holy Land.  It was my 28^th time being in Israel.  I was the most excited about getting to the Western or Wailing Wall and praying where there is an open heaven to hear from God.  The first evening in Jerusalem we took the group there.  Imagine our thankfulness to see, first thing, over 100 young men in a circle beginning to dance before the Lord.  They next formed a long line as they danced and sang, proceeding over towards the Wall to pray.

 After watching this awesome sight, our group separated into men and women and proceeded to the Wall to pray.  (The Wall, according to Jewish custom, is separated into areas for the men and women to pray.)  I covered my head in reverence to God and approached the Wall.  I had not been praying long with my eyes closed when I heard the familiar sound of a cell phone.  I opened my eyes to see a French teenager standing in front of me talking on the cell phone to her friends, with her back to the Wall!  I was in shock.  Was there no fear of the Lord in this young woman?  The Jewish rabbis teach that those who come to meet with God at the Wall, where the last remnants of the Temple of Solomon and Herod stand, need to cover their head and be in reverence.  They should not turn their back to the Holy Site, and should keep in mind that God’s presence is there. 

 Solomon, when he dedicated the temple, prayed that God would hear the prayers of those who prayed at this site always: 

2 Chronicles 6:20 -  That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof Thou hast said that Thou wouldest put thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servants prayeth toward this place.

God answered by fire and sent His glory upon the temple.  Some people have said they even feel the heartbeat of the Lord as they stand at the Wall!  I personally have had great turning points in my life and strategic prayers answered there.

 After the experience with the young French girl, God would have me preach a series in our Church on the fear of the Lord which must be learned today.  The fear of the Lord is to reverence, have honor, be in awe of and put God first in our life above all other things.  The fear of the Lord is mentioned 250 times in the Bible.

 Here is a list of 20 things the fear of the Lord does for our life:

 
1.         God shows His secrets to those who fear Him.  (Psalm 25:14)

2.         We are to worship the Lord in fear (or reverence) of who He is, the Almighty. (Psalm 5:7)

3.             Those who fear Him will receive His mercy. (Psalm 103:11)

4.         His compassion and eyes are on them who fear Him. (Psalm 33:18)

5.         The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. (Psalm 111:10)

6.         The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. (Proverbs 1:7)

7.         The fear of the Lord will prolong your days. (Proverbs 10:27)

8.         The fear of the Lord saved the thief crucified next to Jesus. (Luke 23:40)

9.         Jesus said we need to not fear man but He who can cast you into hell. (John 12:5)

10.       Miracles are done where the fear of the Lord (his reverence) is proclaimed. (Acts 2:39-43)

11.       The fear of the Lord comes when there is great deliverance. (Acts 19:15-17)

12.       Noah delivered His family by having the fear of what was coming on the earth. (Hebrews 11:7)

13.       The fear of man will bring a snare but if you trust in God you shall be safe. (Proverbs 29:25)

14.       God will provide food for those who fear Him. (Psalm 111:5)

15.       God will hear your cry and save you when you have the fear of the Lord. (Psalm 145:19)

16.       God will supply wisdom, knowledge and multiplication of life (time management ) to those who fear Him. (Proverbs 9:10-11)

17.       Those who fear God will enjoy the fruit of their labor. (Proverbs 20:23)

18.       Those who have the fear of the Lord will know His goodness. (Psalm 31:19)

19.       Those who fear God will know God’s will, His help and His shield (protection).  (Psalms 115:11)

20.          Solomon said that the conclusion to all of life was to “fear God and keep His commandments, so shall ye be blessed.”    (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

 
The problem with the young French girl is she has been taught her knowledge about God by man. Isaiah 29:13 tells us we are not to lean to the precepts of man but instead are to acknowledge God for who He is.  “Who He is” is known by His Word, which we are to obey.  God is the Almighty, always to be honored and praised as the Creator of the universe.