Scripture Focus:

“Then they will say, ‘We have no king because we didn’t fear the Lord. But even if we had a king, what could he do for us anyway?’”
— Hosea 10:3 (NLT)

“I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’”
— Hosea 10:12 (NLT)

“So now, come back to your God. Act with love and justice, and always depend on him.”
— Hosea 12:6 (NLT)

Devotion – Returning to the Fear of the Lord
There are many themes in Hosea 10–12, but one phrase hit me deeply today: “We have no king because we didn’t fear the Lord” (Hosea 10:3). The entire downfall of Israel didn’t happen overnight. It was a slow drift—a compromise here, an idol there, a hardness of heart… and it all began with the loss of the fear of God.
We’ve all seen stories of well-known Christian leaders—pastors of massive churches, teachers with international ministries—who once powerfully preached the Gospel, only to later fall into moral failure or spiritual deception. How does that happen?
I asked Hector this very question. And he answered plainly:

“They lost the fear of the Lord.”

That answer stopped me.
The fear of the Lord isn’t just some Old Testament idea. It is essential, foundational, and protective. Proverbs 9:10 says,

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

It guards us from pride. It keeps our hearts tender. It keeps us from wandering too far without feeling the conviction that draws us back.

Hebrew Word Study: on The Fear of the Lord
The Hebrew word for fear in this context is "יִרְאָה" (yir'ah). It means more than terror—it refers to a reverent awe, deep respect, and trembling before the holiness of God. It’s not about being scared of God; it’s about seeing Him rightly—as holy, powerful, and worthy of total surrender.
Yir'ah shows up often when God’s people encounter His presence or His Word. It produces humility, repentance, and obedience. It leads to worship, not hiding.

How Psalm 73 Fits
Psalm 73 is a heart-level psalm—one where Asaph admits he almost slipped. He envied the wicked, who seemed to prosper. But what brought him back?

“Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.”
— Psalm 73:17 (NLT)

When he came into God’s presence—when he saw God clearly—his fear of the Lord was restored. He recognized the eternal consequences of living without reverence for God. He realized how near God truly was to those who fear Him.

“Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.”
— Psalm 73:25 (NLT)

The fear of the Lord isn’t something we can afford to lose. It is the very thing that keeps us from falling.


Lesson for Me
If I ever stop trembling before God’s holiness, I’ve already started drifting.
If I ever get casual with sin or become proud of my spiritual “success,” I’m in danger.
The fear of the Lord isn’t bondage—it’s freedom to walk rightly, protection from deception, and a safeguard from compromise.
I want to live with a holy reverence, a deep awareness that He is God and I am not.


Application Questions

• Do I still tremble at God’s Word, or have I grown numb to His correction?
• In what ways might I be drifting toward compromise by losing a holy fear of the Lord?
• How can I cultivate the fear of the Lord in my everyday choices?
• Have I allowed the culture’s mindset to dull my reverence for God's authority?
• When was the last time I entered God’s sanctuary (presence) like Asaph—and saw clearly again?

How to Keep the Fear of the Lord in Our Lives Today

• Read God's Word daily – not just for information, but for transformation. Let it pierce, convict, and lead.
• Stay in community with godly believers who challenge and sharpen you.
• Worship with reverence – not just with music, but with surrendered lives.
• Remember who He is – holy, sovereign, just, and merciful.
• Pray for a soft heart – one that trembles at His Word and is quick to repent.

Prayer
Lord God,
You are holy. You are just. You are worthy of all my worship and obedience. Forgive me for the times I’ve grown too casual, too self-reliant, or distracted by the world. Restore in me a heart that fears You rightly—a heart that stays tender to Your correction and hungry for Your presence.
Like Asaph, bring me back into Your sanctuary so I can see clearly again. I don’t want to live foolishly or fall like so many others. Let the fear of the Lord be the guardrail that keeps me from sin, and the anchor that keeps me near You.
Teach me to walk humbly, act justly, and love mercy—as I fear You with awe and love You with my whole heart.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.