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Fear Is Good!
John TiltonPsalm 112:1-8
Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands. Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.
Surely the righteous will never be shaken;they will be remembered forever.
They will have no fear of bad news;their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
What the Psalmist writes is truly a blessing, for to fear the Lord is not to be afraid of Him but a prompting to be aware, reminded, cognizant, and therefore intentional in obedience and holding true to His Word. This is accomplished by immediately connecting and relating the call to fear the Lord, with the promise of blessings, riches and victory that follow for those who do indeed fear Him. Related to the prompting is a reminder of the blessings that will be bestowed as well as having no fear of bad news or bad things, because of our response to fear the Lord. It also reminds us of the imminent victory that lies ahead, given our obedience. So rather then being afraid, one can walk in confidence and victory.
I recall that for most of my life, the word “fear” connoted a feeling and response of fear, potential peril and negativity. Yet, through the Lord, to fear Him is to reverence Him for loving us so much that He would sacrifice His son Jesus Christ for our sins, then prompt us to know the promise of blessings, riches and victory … so awesome! Fearing God is simply intentionally putting Him first in our lives with a heart of obedience. Then, favor becomes the promise from fear.
I indeed praise the Lord to witness how following in obedience has resulted in numerous blessings in relation to our family and our church being bestowed; even to the point where there is no question that the Lord made things happen, which seemed so unlikely. Fear can be good, as it prompts us that there is cause and effect, case and consequence; but with the Lord understanding and applying Godly fear can become favor.
Dear Lord, thank you for giving me an insight and appreciation of your ways, and how, a Godly fear is a good fear that prompts me to follow in your will and ways.
