When I first started to study Scripture as a young adult, I was taken back by the phrase, “fearing the Lord.” I questioned, why would we be scared of God? It was through my continued studies that I learned, and thus appreciated, that “to fear” means “to respect.”
Psalm 111:10 tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.”
Think about the people in your life that you truly respect. This could be your supervisor, your friends, your teacher, and your family. You try to do your best to make them proud. While these individuals may have expectations for you, they are, in essence, aiding you in your personal and professional development. Such is the case with God. His commandments are His expectations. We follow them, not because we are afraid of Him, but because we respect Him. And in doing so, we are growing spiritually.
So, to fear the Lord, is simply a relationship with one another, for the good of all.