The
fear of the LORD is the beginning
of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good
understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. Psalm 111:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
knowledge…. Proverbs 1:7
A truth fully taught
in the Scriptures and verified in personal experience by countless numbers of
holy men and women throughout the centuries might be condensed thus into a
religious axiom:
“No one can know the
true grace of God who has not first known the fear of God!”
The first announcement
of God’s redemptive intention toward mankind was made to a man and a woman
hiding in mortal fear from the presence of the Lord.
The Law of God was
given to a man trembling in terror amid fire and smoke, quaking at the voice of
thunder and sound of the divine trumpet.
Even the famous
annunciation, “On earth peace, good will toward men,” was given to shepherds
who were “sore afraid” by reason of the sudden overwhelming presence of the
heavenly host.
The presence of the
divine always brought fear to the hearts of sinful men, a terror having no
relation to mere fear of bodily harm.
I do not believe that
any lasting good can come from religious activities that do not root in this
quality of creature-fear. The animal in us is very strong and altogether
self-confident. Until it has been defeated God will not show Himself to the
eyes of our faith.
It is sad but true
that the love of God affects a carnal heart not at all; or if at all, then
adversely, for the knowledge that God loves us may simply confirm us in our
self-righteousness!
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