Holy Fear

Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.

Have you ever been warned about something unseen, yet to come?  And then reacted in “holy” fear?  I don’t think this is a fear where Noah was scared to death of God, so he obeyed.  I believe it was a holy fear where Noah believed that if  God said it, he meant it, and he revered God enough to obey because of that belief and love.

There’s a difference.

When we warn our kids about something, they sometimes obey because they’re afraid they’ll get in trouble if they don’t.  I wouldn’t say that’s a holy fear, that just being scared.  But when we give our kids good warning about abstaining from sex before marriage, driving alert and not intoxicated, and other sound wisdom and they obey-because they trust our wisdom – that’s holy fear.

I want to be in tune with God enough that when he prompts me I obey, out of holy fear (reverence and love and trust).  And who knows how many might be saved out of one act of obedience, just like in Noah’s story?