The Blessing of Fearing God
Scripture: “The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.” - Exodus 1:17
In Exodus 1:17, we read about two brave midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, who faced an impossible choice. Pharaoh, the most powerful man in Egypt, commanded them to kill all Hebrew baby boys at birth. This command represented the evil pressure in the world that tempts us to harm others for personal gain or to comply with corrupt authority. Yet, these women chose to disobey Pharaoh because they "feared God." Their reverence for God's holiness, justice, and authority gave them the courage to resist Pharaoh's sinful decree.
The fear of God, from a Biblical perspective, is not terror but a deep respect, awe, and love for who God is. It means acknowledging His power and aligning our lives with His righteous ways. Shiphrah and Puah feared God more than Pharaoh, trusting Him as the ultimate authority over their lives. In return, God protected them from Pharaoh’s wrath and blessed them by giving them families of their own.
Like these midwives, we live in a world filled with pressure to conform to sin for personal gain or societal approval. But the fear of God empowers us to resist evil, even when it comes from powerful forces. It gives us the strength to overcome sinful desires within and stay faithful to God's truth. When we choose to honor God over others, He promises to bless and uphold us.
If you don't have this kind of fear of God, ask Him to work it into your heart. Spend time with Him daily through prayer and studying His Word, and your reverence for Him will grow. The more you know God, the more you’ll be able to trust and obey Him, even in the face of great pressure.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the example of Shiphrah and Puah, who feared You and resisted evil. Help us to develop a deep and abiding fear of You that guides our decisions and keeps us faithful. Strengthen us to resist the pressures of this world and our own sinful desires. Bless us, Lord, as we honor You above all else. Teach us to trust in Your protection and provision. In Jesus’ name, amen.
