Jesus Delights In The Fear of the LORD

This article is adapted from Rev Dr Kong Hee's sermon "Jesus' Delight" as preached in City Harvest Church 0n 24 June 2023.

Click here for Kong Hee: Jesus' Delight and fast forward to one hour fourteen minutes and nine seconds (1:14:09) for the start of the sermon by Pastor Kong Hee.

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”" (John 8:12; NIV)

When the stress and troubles of life come, there is a danger of seeking external things of this world for relief instead of the domain or kingdom of God.

If we neglect to follow God's way, we fall into sin and walk in darkness. Sin causes us to reject the will of God for our life. Intentional sin is a trespass. Deeply ingrained sin becomes a stronghold of evil habit (iniquity).

However, when we tend to the garden of our soul, we can have a closer and deeper walk with God.

The good news is that the Holy Spirit is our Helper and we can ask Him for the following two gifts:

1. Ask the Holy Spirit for the Fear of the LORD

Isaiah 11:2 outlines for us the seven anointings of Jesus, including the fear of the LORD:-

"The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—

    the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,

    the Spirit of counsel and of might,

    the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—" (Isaiah 11:2; NIV)

Verse 3a reveals to us the following insight on what Jesus delights in.

"and he will delight in the fear of the Lord." (Isaiah 11:3a; NIV)

This fear has to do with our personal relationship with God; heart knowledge and not just head knowledge.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10; NIV)

The fear of the LORD is a healthy respect and reverence for God that is rooted in love.

LORD, please give us the grace not to grieve You. God is love and He has made clear to us the path of life as opposed to the way of death and destruction.

We are precious to God. The greatest battle is the fight for our soul.


2. Ask the Holy Spirit for the Mirror of Humility

"Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life." (Proverbs 22:4; NIV)

Humility and the fear of the LORD are two sides of the same coin; you cannot have one without the other.

"Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor." (Proverbs 15:33; NIV)

Humility is the deep awareness of one's own weaknesses and willingness to submit to God's grace in true surrender.


With the help of the Holy Spirit, we will indeed walk in the light of Christ Jesus and stay in fellowship with Him while steering clear of sin.

"The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day." (Proverbs 4:18; NIV)

"Coming Through"
By Yip Pei Yi
Prophetic Art Ministry, City Harvest Church

The Beginning of Wisdom

The usual quote on 'the fear of LORD is the beginning of wisdom' is taken from the Book of Wisdom, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10; NKJV)."

Today's reading from Psalm 111:10 (NKJV) is a refreshing take: 

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever."

Photo by Tyler Nix on Unsplash

When we humbly recognise our lack of wisdom, we can ask God for heavenly wisdom (James 1:5). 

However, having due reverence and honour for God would be the first step we need to take in order to be wise; not in our eyes but in God's sight. 

As we walk in the ways of God such as heeding His commandments, which God has in His infinite wisdom established to be non-negotiables from the very beginning, we show that we have a good grasp of what is good for us.

Even when we are not conscious of the divine edicts of God, we are blessed when we do them, and we begin to learn and understand the will of God as we see the favourable outcomes of our good conduct.

"The [reverent] fear of the Lord is the beginning (the prerequisite, the absolute essential, the alphabet) of wisdom; a good understanding and a teachable heart are possessed by all those who do the will of the Lord; His praise endures forever (Psalm 111:10; AMP)."

As the blessings of wisdom in fearing and obeying the LORD's guidance become established as a lifestyle, we can't help but be full of praise and thanksgiving unto God.

Indeed, "The good life begins in the fear of God— do that and you’ll know the blessing of God. His Hallelujah lasts forever (Psalm 111:10; MSG)!"

For your further rumination, please study and meditate the following Scriptural passages as well:

"And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding’ Job 28:28 (NKJV).”

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother; for they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck. My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent (Proverbs 1:7-10; NKJV)."