Holy Fear

Daily Scripture Threshing for Today, Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Today’s Text: Psalm 111:1–10

Key Verse: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” — Psalm 111:10 (KJV)

The biblical holy fear is the biblical concept representing deep reverence, awe, and respect for God, rather than a paralyzing terror of Him. It is characterized as a gift of the Spirit, rooted in love, that brings wisdom, intimacy with God, and a desire to honor Him. This fear is contrasted with a fear of punishment. It is a profound awareness of God's holiness, greatness, and majesty. It is our sure path to wisdom.

Before us today is a hymn of praise celebrating the greatness, faithfulness, and covenant love of God. It recounts His mighty works, His righteousness, His grace and compassion, and His enduring commandments. The psalm closes with a foundational declaration: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” Holy fear is not terror that drives us away from God, but reverent awe that draws us nearer in humility and obedience. It is the heart’s deep recognition of who God is—holy, sovereign, just, and merciful—and a corresponding response of honor, submission, and carefulness in how we live before Him.

Holy fear is the doorway to true wisdom because it rightly centers God at the core of our thinking, choices, and priorities. When we fear the Lord, we no longer treat His presence lightly, His Word casually, or His commands as suggestions. We become aware that every decision, spoken word, and hidden motive is lived before His all-seeing eyes. This does not crush us; it sobers us. It produces a respectful caution about sin and a joyful eagerness to please Him. Holy fear keeps us from playing with what God hates and from trivializing what God calls holy.

Holy fear also protects us from the arrogance and self-confidence that lead to downfall. When we walk in reverence, we depend on God’s wisdom rather than our own understanding. We ask, “Lord, what is Your will?” before we act. We recognize that grace is not a license to live carelessly, but a gift that teaches us to deny ungodliness and live righteously. A church, a minister, or a believer who loses holy fear will eventually lose clear discernment. But where the fear of the Lord is present, there is a spiritual sensitivity that guards against deception and compromise.

This kind of fear is inseparably linked with love. We fear grieving the One we love. We fear dishonoring the Savior who shed His blood for us. We fear wasting the grace we have received. Holy fear makes sin bitter so that Christ may be sweet. It does not drive us from God; it keeps us walking closely with Him, careful not to drift. In a generation that often celebrates familiarity with God but forgets His holiness, we must recover the balance: He is our Father and our Friend, yet He remains the Lord, to be worshiped in holy fear.

Action Steps: Today, take a moment to quietly reflect on God’s holiness—His purity, majesty, and greatness. Ask the Holy Spirit to restore and deepen the fear of the Lord in your heart. Confess any area where you have treated His Word lightly or taken His grace for granted. Make a fresh decision to honor God in your thoughts, your speech, your private life, and your public conduct. Let this simple prayer guide you through the day: “Lord, teach me to fear You in a way that makes me wise, careful, and deeply devoted to Your will.”

Quote for the Day: “Holy fear does not push us away from God; it keeps us walking carefully close to Him.” — (Simon Olatunji #quotablequote)

Let Us Pray: Heavenly Father, I worship You as the holy, righteous, and awesome God. I confess that at times I have approached You too casually and treated Your Word too lightly. Forgive me for every irreverent thought, careless attitude, and compromising choice. Restore in me a holy fear that leads to wisdom, obedience, and deep respect for Your presence. Let my life reflect that I honor You in all things—in Jesus’s name, Amen.

__________________

Thank you for threshing the Word with me today. For further study on this topic, please read: Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 8:13; Hebrews 12:28–29.

With love and prayers,

Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

Send | Share | Subscribe | Support