When Israelites stopped fearing God and following His commandments bad things happened.  America has stopped fearing the Lord and following His commandments.  Should we not expect to lose God’s protection and His blessings?  This not only applies to nations it also applies to individuals.

You may wonder why we have such devastating hurricanes or typhoons like just happened in the Philippines.  Anytime there are mass murders in schools or other public places do you wonder why God allowed it?  Is it Satan that puts these thoughts into the minds of people?  Satan does not want us to fear God or follow His commandments.  The devil knows that we are getting closer to the end-times and there will be all kinds of natural disasters and his influence will also end.  He will do whatever he can to deceive us.

What does it mean to fear God?  It could mean, to a Christian, we are to respect, reverence, and awe or fear the final judgment and punishment if we lack fearing God and doing His commandments.  There are a number of Scriptures that tell us why we should fear God.

Psalms 89:6 – 7 – “For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord?  Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings?  In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him.”

Psalms 33:6 – 9 – “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.  He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.   Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him.   For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.”  Verses 18:19 – “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.”

Psalms 34:9 – 10 – “Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.   The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”  The Lord promises that if we fear him He will provide for us.

Psalms 33:18 – 19 – “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.”   If we fear God He will protect us.

II Corinthians 7:1 – “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”  To perfect holiness it is done out of fear or reverence for God.

Psalms 128:1 – 4 – “Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.  You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.   Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.   Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the Lord.”  When we fear the Lord we are promised blessings and prosperity.

Proverbs 10:27 – “The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.”  Deuteronomy 5:29 – “Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!”  If we want to add length to our life and in generations to come, we must fear the Lord.  Living without alcohol, smoking and being stressed out gives us a much better chance for a long life.

We are even told in the Bible that we can learn to fear the Lord.

Psalms 86:11 – “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” We are to have an undivided heart, a heart that has been surrendered to God.

Years ago, Americans respected those who lived lives according to God’s ways. Today, people make fun of those who do.   It seems we hear more about what atheists want than what God wants for America.  We have allowed non-believers to change the way Americans live.  Should we not expect God to allow disasters to occurred?