Twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved. I’ve sung those words a thousand times, but never before have they resonated so deeply within me. Hebrews 2:15 speaks of Christ, who came that He “might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.” The word fear brings to mind other fear in the Bible: The command to fear the Lord. The fear of the Israelites when they spied out the land and came back with reports of capable people and strong cities. The anxious fear that we’re told to cast upon God. What is the significance of fearing something? Proverbs 1:7 tells us that “the fear of the L ORD is the beginning of knowledge ; fools despise wisdom and instruction” and Proverbs 3:5-6 follows with a command to “ trust in the L ORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight .” Fear of the Lord leads to w