"The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and he delivers them . . . Fear the Lord you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing."  Psalms 34:7, 9.
 

What Amazing Benefits For Those Who Fear God!
Do you have unanswered questions, situations that you find difficult to cope with, thoughts of discouragement, and a restlessness from which you need to be delivered? As you read the above text, you must long to have an "angel of the Lord" camping out around you to deliver you from whatever hardships you are facing from day to day. Do you think that an angel of the Lord would have the ability to solve and answer the problems and unanswered questions that you have to face? Oh yes, I'm sure he would! Well, the Bible here promises that this will happen to all those who "fear God." On top of having an angel of the Lord to move in with you, watch over you, and assist you in everything you do, you have the promise that you will "lack nothing!" Let me ask you a question. Which person, no matter who they are, lacks nothing? To prove a point, let's think of the President of Microsoft, Bill Gates. A lot of people would want to be in his position, to be one of the richest men in the world. People always want to be rich, want to be recognized, want to have all their needs met, and want to live comfortably. But, do you think that Bill Gates lacks nothing? Oh, I don't think so. I know that Bill Gates has gotten used to owning Microsoft. I know that he has gone out and bought more companies, and that he is not satisfied with being where he is today. He still lacks a lot of things. So it is with the highest paid movie stars, rock music stars, or leaders of a country. No person on this earth "lacks nothing!" The Bible says, only "those who fear him, (God), lack nothing." Psalm 34:9. Unbelievable. So, whether I am a beggar on the street, or a president of a multi-billion dollar corporation, I will lack nothing. This is magical and mysterious, but I want this miraculous method of living life, working for me. The only condition is that I fear God.
 

What Does it Mean to Fear God?
Fear God? What does that mean? Do I get those amazing benefits, of my personal "body guard," "counselor," and "instructor" angel, and do I experience the bliss of not lacking anything when I find out what it means to "fear God?" Well yes, this is exactly what the Bible says. So, what I do is to search throughout Scripture to find what it means to fear God. I go back and forth, back and forth, and find no logical explanation of what I must practically do to fear God. All I find is more and more benefits for those who fear God. Wow! Look at the whole of Psalm 112! It is just too amazing. Then here in Isaiah 33:6, "He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure." Now I am really revved up to get an answer. I start reading my Bible from cover to cover, nervously scanning each page. Then I find it. The explanation is clearly illustrated in the story of Abraham in Genesis 22.
 

The Only Story in Scripture That Tells What it Means to Fear God
The ONLY place in Scripture that explains, by means of a real life drama, what it means to "fear God," is the story of how God called Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. After many, many years after God promised Abraham that he would become a great nation, Abraham's wife Sarah, also in her nineties, had a son. This son, born under miraculous and unusual circumstances, is the only means by which Abraham could carry on his lineage for future generations. In ancient times, a man only considered his life a success when he could continue his family line through an heir. The more heirs a man had to carry on his fortunes to future generations, the more prosperous and successful he considered himself to be. Abraham's only son, and only heir, had hardly grown to his mid-teen years, when God appeared to Abraham one night with an assignment that would put any father through the severest test. God told Abraham to go sacrifice his son. This Divine petition was in contrast to all Abraham had heard God promise him, it was in contrast to his own personal hopes and dreams, and it was in contrast to the very essence of human desire and parental affection. The Divine petition was the ultimate test as to where Abraham stood with God, how Abraham saw God in his life, and whether God alone filled the very purpose and reason for him living. Yes, the petition to offer his only son was a symbolic preview of how God planned to save man. It did show the "Father of all Nations," by way of personal experience how God's plan to save man would take place. More importantly than this, it showed Abraham, and all the people in generations to follow, the kind of surrender and sacrifice that would bring man into a holy, face to face relationship with God. As Abraham lifts the knife to slay his son, bound on an altar of sacrifice, (see the story in Genesis 22), the angel of God calls out, "Abraham, Abraham! Do not lay a hand on the boy. Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."
 

Fearing God is Being Prepared to Give Anything to God
This whole event was to assess whether the man chosen to be "The Father of all Nations," had the type of unconditional and unreserved commitment to God, that he had his life totally centered around his relationship with God, and that he had nothing else in his life that was more important than that very relationship. This is what God desired from the man whom He would build a mighty nation from. God desired that every person who made up this nation would have the same relationship with Him, therefore He had to assess whether the "Father" was where He had hoped he would be. Where do you and I stand as potential participants of this promised nation that "lack nothing?" Would we pass the test?
 

A Practical Test For You
In an attempt to practically experience, in part, what Abraham must have gone through, cut or tear four small sheets of paper into squares. (Probably about twice the size of a business card). Now write down the four most important things in your life on those four pieces of paper . . . one item on each. Imagine a tornado destroying all you have--what four things would you want to save. This includes family, friends, (See picture below), cars, or any material possession.

Imagine if communist forces invaded your country, and through brainwashing they could remove any spiritual or emotional aspect from your life. Include any of these as part of the four things you would want to keep. Now, arrange the four pieces of paper in order of priority, and crumple up and toss away the least important one. How do you feel about losing that item? Hold on to the rest for now.
 

Job Experiences a Similar Test
The theme of what it takes to "fear God," is repeated again in the book of Job. Job 1:1 says, "In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil." Scripture tells us that Job was a wealthy man, but in spite of this, he worshiped God every morning and prayed for forgiveness in case any of his children sinned against God. Satan comes before God one day, and God asks Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no-one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." Job 2:3Satan says that Job fears God because of all the prosperity that he is experiencing. He claimed that if Job had to lose all his possessions and family that He would turn away from God. God gives Satan permission to remove his children and all his possessions. Job's answer to God after he lost his children and all his possessions has gone down as an eternal monument amongst believers of all generations, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." Job 1:21. Again God says to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no-one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." Job 2:3. Satan's final attempt to discredit God's confidence in Job comes in these words, "Skin for skin! A man will give all he has for his own life. But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face." Job 2:4,5. God gives Satan permission to remove Job's health, and Job is inflicted with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Still Job praises God and keeps loyal to Him.
 

This story, although no specific mention is made of what it means to fear God, perfectly mirrors the experience Abraham had. Although Job lost everything in his life, what he had left was what his life actually was built around--an intimate relationship with God. Very few people find what these two men found--complete and ultimate happiness and fulfillment from being in a close and committed relationship with God. Being willing to surrender anyone or anything in order to be able to keep God in their lives; having a constant, committed relationship with God as their number one priority, with nothing else even close enough to compete with Him. Another such person that found this completeness from God is David. He writes in Psalm 4:8, "You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound." You see, when man has the type of relationship with God, that God originally intended, man needs nothing else in his life to experience a level of happiness that will allow him to enjoy life and be completely fulfilled. Paul says in Philippians 4:12, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." This has to be the kind of relationship that Adam had with God before Eve was created. Complete, content, committed.
 

Major and Minor Completeness
When David said in Psalm 34:9, that "those who fear him (God) lack nothing," he must be referring to this very fact. Every man and woman has an incompleteness. Say 80% is an incompleteness for God to complete, and a 20% incompleteness for the gifts which God gave man to complete--like a marriage partner, family, interests, hobbies, sport, studies, business endeavors, (see picture below), artistic talents, pets, etc.

The problem is that mankind uses the gifts that God gave as a means to complete the 80% of his incompleteness, and uses God to fill perhaps a part of the 20% as he attends church once a week, gives tithes and offerings, does some church work, and says the odd prayer or two. How do you think that the early Christians were able to stand up against the persecutions of that time to the point of giving up their lives for God? This isn't normal. It is impossible for the human instinct of self preservation and survival to get to the point of letting go of the will to fight for life. When the major incompleteness within the deep chambers of mans soul is filled by a supernatural power of belonging, of purpose, of trust and confidence, man experiences a contentment that surpasses the fear of death and self destruction. When incomplete man walks the same path as the "Son of Man," and has His words ignite into brilliant and blinding new meaning because he is walking exactly as the Son of Man is walking--he enters a level of completeness and confidence that no other force in life can bring about. Death doesn't have the power to remove this feeling of belonging, of self worth, of purpose, of unconditional love, and of total acceptance. This feeling in the lives of men like Abraham, Job, David, and Paul, motivated them to release anything or anyone in their lives that could be a possible threat to their intimate and close relationship with God--which was their life. This new life, was such a contrast to a normal life of groping for human attempts at completeness, that leaving God simply was not an option. When they lost or where asked to give up their most treasured human possessions, they gladly released them--they still had what was worth the most in their lives--that relationship with God.
 

Now, throw away the third paper. The next least important thing in your life. How do you feel about losing that item?
 

Jesus Teaches About Fearing God
Although Jesus doesn't use the term, "fearing God," his teaching dovetails perfectly with the events surrounding Abraham and Job. Jesus says to His disciples in Matthew 16:24-26, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" This passage fits in perfectly with how we described Abraham and Job allowing God to fill and be the overwhelming portion of their lives, thus making God "their life." Jesus says that whoever is prepared to lose their lives, and everything in their lives for His sake, will find an amazing new life with Him. But He says that whoever wants to find their lives, and everything that they think will satisfy themselves, will actually lose the amazing life that God has for them. Jesus goes on to say in Matthew 10:37, 38 that "Any one who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me."

He then repeats, "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." It can be certain that Jesus wasn't calling for a removal of the beautiful relationships between family members and romantic partners. He was reaffirming the fact that nothing, absolutely nothing, was to come before the relationship that anyone has with Him--not even the relationships that are most precious to people globally. If Jesus put the relationship that we are to have with Him before any of these intimate and special relationships, how much more would other things like interests, hobbies, sport, studies, business endeavors, artistic talents, pets, etc., have to be put aside?
 

Now throw away the second piece of paper with the second most important item written on it. How do you feel about losing this item from your life?
 

"One Thing"
Abraham had one thing that could have kept him from "fearing God," his only son of promise. Jesus met a rich young man who came to Him asking Him what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus first gave him a traditional answer with regard to keeping the law, and so forth. After the young man said that he had done all things since he was young, Jesus then brings him the pivotal truth that would touch most intimate area of his life--the one thing he loved most. "Sell your possessions, give them to the poor, and follow me." Although the one thing in their lives was totally different, both Abraham and the rich young man were called on to surrender that "one thing" in their lives. One passed the test, and the other did not. Matthew 19:22 tells us that, "When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth." If there is anything that a person holds on to that is more important than their relationship with God, they do not fear God. Even our most treasured relationships cannot come before our relationship with God, (See picture below).

Again we remind ourselves that those who fear God are prepared to lose anything, as long as they don't lose their intimate, and close relationship with God. The irony of the whole matter is that those who do fear God, "lack nothing," even though they might have lost all in gaining that intimate relationship with God.
 

Now look at the last sheet of paper in your hand. What is written there? Does it say, "God," or "My Time With God," or "My Relationship With God?" If not, you have failed the test of what it means to fear God. If it does, you fear God, and will lack nothing.
 

Disaster When God's Gifts Replace God
Remember that God's gifts are given unconditionally to all people. God's gifts of air to our planet, God's gift of sunlight to our planet, and God's gifts of rain and water to our planet, are all essential gifts that every person needs to survive and have life. From these gifts come all the other gifts that we enjoy from day to day.
 
 

Plants and trees that supply us with food (See picture above) and shelter, animals that supply companionship, supply clothing and food, (See picture above), and bring a balance to the continuous cycles in nature. Rocks, crude oil and minerals that give us untold resources that keep our planet tuning and progressing to become more productive and sophisticated. People that form our family and friendship groups, and interrelate to bring a comfortable and successful life in each community around the earth. How can we even dream of allowing these gifts to compete with the Creator and Supplier of the gifts? Each person that puts the gifts of God aside, and puts their relationship with Him first and foremost in their lives, will be complete and lack absolutely nothing. This is what God promises with no conditions attached.
 

This Will Work For You!
No matter who you are, or what your situation is, God is ready to come so close to you that you will lack absolutely nothing. Whether you have lost a loved one, been through a divorce, are suffering from a terminal disease, are disabled, feel worthless, are depressed, trying to cope as a single parent, experiencing loneliness, etc., God is calling you to let Him be "your life," and make the major part of your life complete. If you have lost any of the gifts that God has made available in the past, know that you still have God. That He is always with you. Know that Satan is the one responsible for your thoughts of despair, (click here for more info on this), and that you can overcome his attacks by fixing your focus on the Mighty Word that the Creator and Controller of the universe used to speak the worlds into existence. (Click here for more info on this). That same word will be spoken into your life, and bring the miracle you need in whatever you are facing. The closer and more intimate we become with God, the more we will draw from Him in becoming complete and happy. (Click here for more info on this). The closer and more intimate we become with God, the less we will rely on His wonderful gifts in becoming complete and happy. (Click here to find out how to sacrifice ourselves). As we "fear Him," His angels with "encamp around us," and we will truly "lack nothing."