THE FEAR OF THE LORD

THE FEAR OF THE LORD

Some of you have possibly spent a number of years in Seminary Schools, anywhere from one to seven, perhaps more. And the chief reason for this period of training is to put the acquisition of knowledge to some practical use. Although some come out having never performed a marriage or conducted a funeral service among other practical duties of the pastor. The Conservative Brethren movement therefore moved the training of men back to the control of the local church forming "practoriums" so that men have a practical experience with the various tasks of the pastor training men practically as Christ did while on earth.

The final place and position where you will use this knowledge might not be absolutely clear at this stage in your career, awaiting a call from a local congregation. Changing circumstances in the world round about you, and even changing circumstances more intimately related to you will dictate how and where you will use the knowledge you have acquired.

More important to you throughout life will be the development of your thinking powers. Many facts will change, but principles will not change. And a mind schooled in facing new situations will continue to be of value in the ever-changing scenes of life.

One thing above all others, I hope you have learned, namely, the "Fear of the Lord." The sacred Scriptures place it first in the grand sweep of knowledge. It will serve you well in every event and circumstance of life. It is this one aspect of knowledge that should have been basic in the educational ministry of the school you attended.

There is no examination they can give that will test its validity or measure its value. But life itself will confront you with test after test. And there you will discover its inestimable value.

Consider the Meaning of "The Fear of the Lord"

The word fear as used in the Hebrew Old Testament moves in two directions. It means the recognition of qualities in a person which issues in respect for that person and reverence paid to him. It constitutes wonder, awe to the point of amazement, and issues in religious piety.

By the very nature of the case, such fear exhibits itself in a sense of emotional effect in one who calculates the inescapable results for despising the person who possesses these qualities and departing from the standards he espouses. This means that the person who displays such fear will feel a sense of restraint, a disposition to pause, a careful estimate of the cost of stepping out of the path of the right and the good, and the holy.

"Fear of the Lord" involves the following things:

Real knowledge begins with the fear of the Lord. The writer of Proverbs declared "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Prov. 1:7). What he is saying is that in the area of reality, God is infinite and therefore circumscribes everything. No item of knowledge on the human and natural level can be understood apart from seeing it in relation to the infinite God. This means that true knowledge must begin with seeing the picture whole. God is the broad expanse within which everything exists. Paul alluded to this when he pointed to the Person of Christ and declared that in Him "are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge " (Col. 2:3).

Real wisdom consists in a clear understanding of the holy. Again the writer of Proverbs spoke, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding" (Prov. 9:10). Knowledge is an accumulation of facts. But wisdom is that quality of discernment that is able to draw a clear line of distinction between an infinite God and a finite creation. It is the fear of the Lord that imparts this wisdom.

This is a day when this wisdom is desperately needed. Mankind in general is returning to a pantheistic philosophy of reality, and is identifying God with creation. Men are reducing the primary cause to the secondary level. How important it is for the children of God to know the difference. It is this difference that exalts God metaphysically so that He is seen in greatness as separate from His creation, and it exalts God morally so that He is seen in goodness as only one who is essentially pure.

Moreover, real wisdom imparted by the fear of the Lord always responds in willing obedience to the commandments of the Lord. The Psalmist made this observation: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endures forever" (Psa. 111:10).

A good understanding does not mean that all logical intricacies of life are comprehended, but it does mean that the infinite qualities of grace and goodness toward a child of God are expressed in commandments for his conduct and intended to minister only good. From the saint who bows to these commandments there will issue praise from his lips forevermore.

 The Benefits Derived from the Fear of the Lord

I call five to your attention. They bear directly on life.

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life. The writer of Proverbs makes some amazing declarations: here are two:

"The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death" (Prov. 14:27).

"The fear of the Lord tends to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil" (Prov. 19:23).

A fountain is an ever-flowing source of water to sustain life. Such is the fear of the Lord. It constantly guards the person from the mirages that constitute snares or traps which would drag one down to death. This fountain of water tends to life. It keeps the heart satisfied and content so that evil holds no attraction for him.

The fear of the Lord provides for a lengthening of life. Again the sacred writer declared, "The fear of the Lord prolongs days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened" (Prov. 10:27).

The fear of the Lord keeps the feet in paths of wholesomeness and purity. The paths of the wicked take their toll in physical corruption, mental deterioration, and emotional frustration. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap. He that sows to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting" (Gal. 6:6-7). A holy life has in it the potentials for a longer physical life in the here and now. And there are none who do not wish to extend their days. Then consider this fact that the fear of the Lord prolongs those days.

The fear of the Lord gives assurance in life. How encouraging to hear God say through His mouthpiece, "In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge" (Prov. 14:26).

In a world of sin and confusion the path is not easy, not even for the saint. Many grow weary in well-doing and faint in the way. Rebuffed on every hand, they finally say to themselves, "What's the use" and give up. For them the fear of the Lard gives strong confidence. That upward and far-reaching look keeps them reminded that the infinite God has everything under His control and is guiding events toward that wonderful day of the manifestation of the saints. He works all things after the counsel of His own will, and has all of those things weighted in favor of His own (Eph. 1:11; Rom. 8:28). In the strength of this confidence, one can face what under other circumstances would be insurmountable odds.

The fear of the Lord invests the course of events with purity of life. Says the sacred writer:

"The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate" (Prov. 8:13).

"By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil" (Prov. 16:6).

In a world where the glamour of external appearances constitute the criteria of measurement, it is like a breath from heaven to read what constitutes the pure qualities of life. But these can only be seen from the vantage point of the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord creates a mental pattern for hating evil, pride, arrogance, and evil way, and perverted speech. It also gives courage and strength to depart from evil, knowing that it is mercy and truth that excludes iniquity.

The fear of the Lord opens up and fills the life with delight.

"Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith" (Prov. 15:16).

Ever since sin came into the world, men have had a distorted view of what brings happiness. There is paraded today in almost every facet of public and private life the idea that life consists in the abundance of things possessed. In the mad scramble to acquire possessions, men discover that the joy they hoped to experience flees from them. In place of joy they find themselves wallowing in the mire of distress and dislocation.

Over against this is the delight ministered to that person who is controlled by the fear of the Lord. He may possess but little, but little in the fear of the Lord is a fountain of blessing. In the fear of the Lord there is no troubled conscience. Such a one is in the hands of the omnipotent God and loving Father. A soul resting in the fear of the Lord is happy.