• Man acknowledges His word to be his guide and light in life, and refuses to err from its truths eternally (Division 14, v.105-112)
• Man rests in the security of God’s Word, and lives in fear of transgression of truth (Division 15. V.113-120)
• Man does judgment and justice according to His Word, and has confidence in the results of blessing and cursing as being in God’s hands (Division 16, v.121-128)
• Man has faith in His word as the source of light, and prays for guidance to walk therein (Division 17, v.129-136)
• Man realises the true character of God’s word as being altogether pure and righteous and conforms his life accordingly (Division 18, v.137-144)
• Man depends upon His word as the source of strength in life and conduct (Division 19, v.145-152)
• Man looks to God and His word as the source of salvation and deliverance from sin, sickness, and trouble (Division 20, v.153-160)
• Man marvels at His word, and has peace amid turmoil (Division 21, v 161-168)
• Man prays wholeheartedly in harmony with His word and rests content in its salvation and blessings (Division 22, v.169-176)
These are the things, which make God happy. There is even rejoicing over one sinner that repents; how much more rejoicing must there be when men make God blessed by the above acts (Lk. 15:7,10).
(4.11) The fear of the Lord
The fear (Gk phobos) of the Lord is not, as is often defined, merely “reverential trust,” but includes an awe of the power, holiness and righteous retribution of God, and a dread of sinning against Him and facing the consequences (cf.Ex 3:6; Ps 119:120; Luke 12:4-5). It is not a destructive fear, but a wholesome and redeeming fear that leads to God’s nearness and blessing, to moral purity, and to full life and final salvation (cf.Ps 5:7; 85:9; Prov 14:27; 16:6).
The fear of the Lord is something good and wholesome, the fountain head of true wisdom (Prov 9:10). Gazing on God in adoring contemplation infuses into our hearts a holy fear of the Lord.
The OT presents the fear of the Lord as both a choice (Ps 34:9; Prov 1:29) and a gift of God imparted by His Spirit (Isaiah 11:1-3a). The fear of God is a choice in that it involves the decision of our will to respond to the gracious invitation of God’s word and Spirit. The fear of the Lord requires a knowledge of the Holy (One) (Prov 9:10) that regards Him with holy awe and reverence, and honours God as God because of His great glory, holiness, majesty and power (Ex 19:16). The fear of God involves recognising that sin has serious consequences and that both in time and in eternity God has the power to punish those who break His righteous laws (cf.Ps 76:7-8).
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