The Blessedness of Godly Fear
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The Nature of Godly Fear
1 Praise ye the LORD.
1 Praise ye the LORD.
I will praise the LORD with my whole heart,
In the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
2 The works of the LORD are great,
Sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
3 His work is honourable and glorious:
And his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered:
The LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him:
He will ever be mindful of his covenant.
6 He hath shewed his people the power of his works,
That he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment;
All his commandments are sure.
8 They stand fast for ever and ever,
And are done in truth and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption unto his people:
He hath commanded his covenant for ever:
Holy and reverend is his name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:
A good understanding have all they that do his commandments:
His praise endureth for ever.
1 Praise ye the Lord.
Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord,
That delighteth greatly in his commandments.
2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth:
The generation of the upright shall be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house:
And his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness:
He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth:
He will guide his affairs with discretion.
6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever:
The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings:
His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid,
Until he see his desire upon his enemies.
9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor;
His righteousness endureth for ever;
His horn shall be exalted with honour.
10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved;
He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away:
The desire of the wicked shall perish.
1 Praise ye the Lord.
Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord,
That delighteth greatly in his commandments.
2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth:
The generation of the upright shall be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house:
And his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness:
He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth:
He will guide his affairs with discretion.
6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever:
The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings:
His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid,
Until he see his desire upon his enemies.
9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor;
His righteousness endureth for ever;
His horn shall be exalted with honour.
10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved;
He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away:
The desire of the wicked shall perish.
1 Praise ye the Lord.
Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord,
That delighteth greatly in his commandments.
2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth:
The generation of the upright shall be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house:
And his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness:
He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth:
He will guide his affairs with discretion.
6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever:
The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings:
His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid,
Until he see his desire upon his enemies.
9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor;
His righteousness endureth for ever;
His horn shall be exalted with honour.
10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved;
He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away:
The desire of the wicked shall perish.
1 Praise ye the Lord.
Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord,
That delighteth greatly in his commandments.
2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth:
The generation of the upright shall be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house:
And his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness:
He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth:
He will guide his affairs with discretion.
6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever:
The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings:
His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid,
Until he see his desire upon his enemies.
9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor;
His righteousness endureth for ever;
His horn shall be exalted with honour.
10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved;
He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away:
The desire of the wicked shall perish.
1 Praise ye the Lord.
Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord,
That delighteth greatly in his commandments.
2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth:
The generation of the upright shall be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house:
And his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness:
He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth:
He will guide his affairs with discretion.
6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever:
The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings:
His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid,
Until he see his desire upon his enemies.
9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor;
His righteousness endureth for ever;
His horn shall be exalted with honour.
10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved;
He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away:
The desire of the wicked shall perish.
Let us Pray
Perhaps you are wondering, “Why a message focused on the Fear of the LORD”.
Perhaps you are wondering, “Why a message focused on the Fear of the LORD”.
About three weeks ago I receive a phone call from a woman asking about the doctrinal distinctives of the RCUS and the reformed faith. As we spoke she shared with me her convictions and her view of the Fear of the LORD, she was concerned about all the false churches, including the one she is presently attending. It was clear she saw the FEAR of the LORD primarily as a deep seated sense of dread and apprehension of promised judgement and condemnation. Something which she thought, needed to be at the forefront of the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the correction of all the false churches.
I shared with her the importance of understanding the Fear of the LORD as a blessing and not just a curse or promise of condemnation. I told her Christ came in the Fear of the LORD, in knowledge and understanding and that in Him and through Him the blessedness of Godly fear replaces the dread and apprehension of condemnation, and should be understood a reverential awe and respect when directed to the church:
(KJV)
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse,
And a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
The spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The spirit of counsel and might,
The spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;
King James Version Chapter 11
11 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse,
And a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him,
The spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The spirit of counsel and might,
The spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD:
And he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes,
Neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor,
And reprove with equity for the meek of the earth:
And he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth,
And with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord:
And he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes,
Neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor,
And reprove with equity for the meek of the earth:
And he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth,
And with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
For the next week the Fear of the LORD occupied much of my personal meditations. I realized, even among many of those who call themselves Christian Evangelicals today, the message and proclamation of the Fear of the LORD is seen as some kind of radioactive hot potato, as if preaching the Fear of the LORD, were a news broadcast accounting the fast approach of a meteorite large enough to extinguish all life on earth as we know it today. Or the mutation of the Corona virus into a deadly fast killing easily transmittable apocalypse ringing black plague to the 21st century. In other words, news so horrifying that it can’t be true of a Loving, Merciful God and if it is true then its just to horrible to speak out loud.
How often have you heard that the OT God is a God of FEAR, TERROR, and DREAD. Or that the GOD of the OT isn’t the same God of the NT. Or the God of the NT is a God of LOVE, and all FEAR is gone now that Jesus Christ has come. Or the claim that God is not a God of FEAR, often misquoting
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
where the primary meaning in both verses is about not being without courage, or acting in a cowardly manner, or don’t be timid.
Beloved our message this is eloquently formed by the power of the Holy Spirit, who inspired the Psalmist to record for the edification of His people and the rebuke and correction of the unregenerate.
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
So as I was meditating on these things I took the opportunity to bring a message of focused on the Blessedness of Godly Fear as seen through the eyes of the Psalmist of . My hope is to illuminate and encourage you to be prepared to handle this radioactive hot potato with a ready heart and mind in the service of Christ our King.
or , where the primary meaning is
Beloved our message this morning is eloquently formed by the power of the Holy Spirit, who inspired the Psalmist to record for the edification of His people and the rebuke and correction of the unregenerate.
Beloved the message of the Fear of the LORD is eloquently formed by the power of the Holy Spirit throughout Scripture, who inspired the Psalmist to record for the edification of His people and the rebuke and correction of the unregenerate, the ignorant or those simply misinformed. The Fear of the LORD is a blessedness which Christ himself proclaimed, and which has been demonstrated by those confronted by the Holy presence of God from the foundations of the world.
Beloved our message this is eloquently formed by the power of the Holy Spirit, who inspired the Psalmist to record for the edification of His people and the rebuke and correction of the unregenerate.
Some of you might be thinking this is a Praise Psalm, and indeed it is! The theme found in these verses is historically understood to focus on on Praising God for the many blessings which He bestows upon His people. As a Psalm, it is a poetic expression of passion, love, and joy with a melodic rhythm which is often lost to both the listeners and readers of the English.
Because it is the Word of God, we know it is Alive and Powerful, as we are instructed out of Hebrews ch. 4, because it is designed to cut to the heart and force consideration of Almighty God, the one to whom all humanity must one day individually give account.
Perhaps in the Psalms, more than anywhere else in Scripture, the nature of human frailty and dependence is provided in a way which is designed to both invoke within human hearts the absolute need for their Creator; and evoke the human responses of humility, wonder, love, hope and FEAR which the sharp character of God’s revelation reveals.
As we look at the , as with all Scripture, allow the words to take hold of your whole body, mind and soul- by relinquishing to God all your personal understanding and replacing it with the depth, meaning and overwhelming knowledge which Godly Fear calls you to hear, to remember, to practice and to teach.
For the life of the Christian beloved, YOUR LIFE, is intended to be a journey of transformation, in worship, praise, and reflection of the faith YOU have been given. Calling forth the reality of being a living sacrifice, through the renewing of, heart, mind, body and soul- both rationally and reasonably () through the instruction recorded here in the God word.
For no man, woman or child, be they followers of Christ or despisers of God, lives or dies unto themselves, but all of humanity is called to recognize, and revere, God Almighty and the mighty work of redemption which He alone has accomplished in and through the person of Jesus Christ the LORD!
The Blessedness of Godly Fear in Three Points
The Blessedness of Godly Fear in Three Points
Biblical Definition of Fear
The Motivations of Fear
The Joy of Godly Fear
1. Biblical Definitions of Fear (, , ; ; ; ; ; )
)
1. Understanding Biblical Fear
Before we can understand the greatness and goodness found in the type of fear declared in this , we need to understand what Fear is in its biblical sense and how this applies to the broad context of those verses.
As the HC summarizes God created man good and after His own image, that is, in righteousness and true holiness, that he might rightly know God his Creator, heartily love Him, and live with Him in eternal blessedness, to praise and glorify Him. ( HC Q6)
In fact when we search the Scriptures for the first occurrence of or idea of fear it come as a result of man disobedience in . Adam was afraid. In the moment our father Adam turned away from God, he rejected the righteousness and true holiness which were properly his, and he embraced a depraved nature which could only responded in fear and dread at the presence of the Almighty Holy God.
In the moment Adam chose to embrace and follow his own heart rather than God’s Law he was dead in sin and the sense of fear and dread came upon him. Think about this, he and Eve had their eyes opened and just being naked was more than they could handle, the only response we might expect from Adam at the appearance of God, was total fear who in the moment of the griping fear could think of nothing better to do than to hide. Another way to state it as simply as the children’s catechism, after disobeying God, Adam and Eve where no longer “holy and happy” but fell under the His curse and wrath and were filled with fear.
The Hebrew word יָרֵא yārēʾ (the most common word for Fear in the Hebrew) is used in the 3:10 account. It’s clear in its meaning: to Fear, be Afraid, Reverence, Respect, also to be in Awe. It is found as a verb denoting action or response, a noun denoting a concept, precept or knowledge, or an adjective describing the state of condition of an individual or a people.
The first definition of the Fear of the LORD is tied to the fear and dread of being under the curse and wrath of the LORD. Even earnest expectation of being rejected from His presence, eternally condemned, and open rebellion against His holiness.
We see this a combination of the curse, wrath and dread of God in the Abrahamic Narrative of wherein God formally establishes a Blood Covenant using as its sign the death dismemberment of animals large and small (). God begins the process by commanding Abraham not to be afraid (יָרֵא yārēʾ), and it is only after the Abraham falls into a deep sleep, that a “horror of great darkness” () of the fear and dread using the Hebrew word (אֵימָה ʾēymāh) which in every usage in the OT defines a condition suffered under the judgement of God and the corresponding lament, prayer, or reflection related to being rejected by the LORD.
The darkness, blood sacrifice and related seed promises all point the the necessity of payment upon pain of death for the sins of the one who breaks the Covenant. Abraham receives the promise of God to pay the price of death which foreshadows the the coming of the seed of promise in the person of Jesus Christ, who would die to redeem His people with a blood sacrifice sufficient to free those in the bondage of sin.
Note:
We see today there remains a dread and fear among all the unregenerate, the deceived and the heretical. It is note worthy that such deceived and unregenerate false teachers often seek to change the nature of the Holy and Just God into a LOVE first, LOVE always ONLY LOVE, idol of their own hearts. For they reject Gods right to curse, correct and demonstrate His wrath upon fallen humanity.
When we look at we come to it with a deep history built upon the an intimate relationship with the Creator. A distinctive Covenant relationship established by God with His chosen people in Abraham. We see in vv. 1, 2, 4 and 10 the Covenant name YHWY or Jehovah. The Psalmist focuses his attention first in declaring the greatness of God. The very first phrase of the text is the word Hallelujah, declaring in the first person, I praise, I boast in God Almighty!
When we look at we come to it with a history built upon the an intimate relationship with the Creator. We see in vv. 1, 2, 4 and 10 the Covenant name YHWY or Jehovah. The Psalmist focuses his attention first in declaring the greatness of God. The very first phrase of the text is the word Hallelujah, declaring in the first person, I praise, I boast in God Almighty.
When we look at we come to it with a history built upon the an intimate relationship with the Creator. We see in vv. 1, 2, 4 and 10 the Covenant name YHWY or Jehovah. The Psalmist focuses his attention first in declaring the greatness of God. The very first phrase of the text is the word Hallelujah, declaring in the first person, I praise and boast in God Almighty.
It is upon the foundation of these Covenant Promises that the see revealed
The second definition of the Fear of the LORD. It is tied to the Holiness of God, the Covenant Redemption of God’s people and the coming of the Messiah to establish and His Eternal Kingdom for His Redeemed.
In , the definition of those who Fear the LORD is qualitatively different than one who dreads the wrath and punishment which is rightfully theirs. It is pictured as those who embrace and seek out () the great works, redemption and the Covenant Promises. Their fear causes them to rejoice in and praise the Holy Creator enthroned in the praises of His people (, ). It is the food
This second kind of fear is built upon the knowledge of God which He alone is pleased to reveal to the hearts, minds and souls of those who are redeemed in Christ Jesus. This is what Christ revealed to his disciples as he taught them before his Crucifixion, when he summarized the Law and the Prophets (, , , , ; ; ; )
2. The Motivations of Fear (, ; ; ; , )
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: 5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. 10 And it shall be, when the Lord thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not, 11 And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; 12 Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. 13 Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. 14 Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; 15 (For the Lord thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
Understanding the fundamental distinctions between Fearing God out of a rebellious heart, because we are deserving wrath and judgement and Fearing God because of love in willing submission; following His commands in faith as true born again believers, defines the motivations behind the actions and practices of the unregenerate and the redeemed of God.
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: 5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
The redeemed learn and demonstrate and accept a personal understanding of the misery and depravity, which comes from the Law of God (HC Q3) and is summarized
and foreshadowed for us in the Holy Scriptures (HC Q19). This can only be received and obeyed by his adopted children only through true faith as fulfilled for us in the person of Jesus Christ God’s only begotten son in His perfect holiness, satisfaction, obedience and righteousness. (HC Q60).
(KJV 1900)
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: 5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. 10 And it shall be, when the Lord thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not, 11 And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; 12 Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. 13 Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. 14 Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; 15 (For the Lord thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
According to , the wicked are only able to see truth and righteousness of God and His people and grieve, grow angry, and ultimately they will perish in their rebellion, forever denying they are worthy of the punishment and condemnation they so despise.
The motivations of the wicked are summarized in the words of David:
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, There is none that doeth good. (see )
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, There is none that doeth good.
The motivations of the redeemed are spoken to by the Prophet Micah and demonstrated in there fullness in Christ Jesus
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; And what doth the LORD require of thee, But to do justly, and to love mercy, And to walk humbly with thy God? (see )
1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.
8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; And what doth the Lord require of thee, But to do justly, and to love mercy, And to walk humbly with thy God?
3. The Joy of Godly Fear (;
The Blessedness of Godly Fear resided in the heart of flesh which the LORD gives to each and every man, woman and child who believes in the Jesus Christ and professes Him as their LORD and saviour with all that is within them. This is knowledge is Joy and the cause of Great Praise ()
The Blessedness of Godly Fear resides recognizing, acknowledging and declaring:
HIS righteousness endureth for all eternity v 3
HIS wonderful works will be remembered v 4
HIS covenant will be eternally made known v 5
HIS powerful works are made known to the redeemed, in truth, judgement, and faithful commandments vv 6, 7, 8
HIS name is Holy and Awe inspiring, (יָרֵא yārēʾ) HIS covenant is command eternally v 9
HIS Praise will stand eternally v 10
HIS
The Blessedness of Godly Fear resided in the knowledge that He Himself, the Almighty Creator
HE makes wonders and is gracious and full of compassion v 4 ,
HE gives sustenance he will not forget his covenant v 5,
HE makes known his power giving his people the heritage of the nations v 6
HE has sent redemption to his people he commanded his covenant eternally v 9,
v10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:
A good understanding have all who practice his commandment :
A good understanding have all they that do his commandments:
His praise endureth for ever. :
His praise endureth for ever.
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