The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Proverbs 1:7

“And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.” Deutoronomy 10:12, 20-21

What can this mean? Should we run in terror from an angry vengeful God. I don't think so, though unbelievers think that quite frequently.

In Proverbs, the Hebrew word is YIRAH.
"The word translated "fear" in many versions of the Bible comes from the Hebrew word yirah, which has a range of meaning in the Scriptures. Sometimes it refers to the fear we feel in anticipation of some danger or pain, but it can also can mean "awe" or "reverence." In this latter sense, yirah includes the idea of wonder, amazement, mystery, astonishment, gratitude, admiration, and even worship (like the feeling you get when gazing from the edge of the Grand Canyon). The "fear of the LORD" therefore includes an overwhelming sense of the glory, worth, and beauty of the One True God. "

[link to www.hebrew4christians.com]

There are so many layers and layers of meaning in that word.

YHWH is a GOD who has created the vast celestial heavens of galaxies and yet knows your name and wants to be a relationship with you. Why should such an omnipotent omniscient being care for us? I don't know, but:

5You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.

6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain to it. Psalm 139: 5-6

If you will only stop being afraid of your sin, practice Truth, and ask God into your heart, then God can call you.

"20“For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.21“But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” John 3:20-21


The alternative is eternal seperation from God, as so many posters have clearly chosen...

Don't reject God at your peril.

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9