Do you fear the Lord? Do you have a holy reverence and awe for Him? If so, you are in good company.

The Bible says, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him.” (Psalm 34:7)

The phrase, “angel of the Lord” is used several times in both the Old Testament and New Testament, but the precise identity of the angel is not given. In some Bible translations the word angel is capitalized, which is a reference to the Lord Himself.

The scripture says, the angel of the Lord “encamps,” which literally means to “pitch a tent.”

In the Bible, sometimes it reads “angels of the Lord,” and other times, “The Angel of the Lord.” This could be one angel, or it could be a company of angels. Sometimes it is a reference to the Lord Himself. Either way, if you fear the Lord, you may have a whole host of angels with pitched tents in your back yard; never mind your neighborhood restrictive covenants, they do not apply.

But even more so than a host of angels, the Lord Himself is with you.

The scriptures teach, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 9:10)

Christian, are you struggling in some way? Are you fearful of something that is going on in your life right now? A health scare, a financial crisis, marital or family issue, work issue or some other concern? Do you feel all alone?

You are not alone…if you fear the Lord!

Be wise and take all other fears and place them rightly on the Lord. Fear Him only.

The Apostle Paul, from a prison cell, instructed the church in Philippi to “Be anxious for nothing…” (Philippians 4:6).

God says in His Word to, “Fear not, for I am with you…” (Isaiah 41:10). The fear God is talking about there is the fear of anything other than Himself.

Remember, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Another verse says, “Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing” (Psalm 34:9).

The reason God does not want us to fear anything but Him is because we cannot walk by faith in fear. We must choose one or the other.

And the scriptures tell us that “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:16). The Lord promises He will, “Never leave us, nor forsake us” (Deut. 31:6).

We may not be able to look out our windows and see the angels with their tents pitched in our backyard, as the prophet Elisha could see the horses and chariots of fire all around him (2 Kings 6:16-18), but we are called to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Fear the Lord my friend, and rest assured, you will be in good company!

Lisa Hannan lives in Valdosta with her husband, attorney Miles Hannan, who has been practicing law in Valdosta for more than 30 years. She has a B.S. in psychology from Valdosta State University. You can find her at www.lisahannan.org.