The Fear of God # 3 (and others)

The Fear of God # 3 (and others)

Incentives for the Fear of God

It is not sufficient to be on guard against the sins which are contrary to the fear of God; rather, it is our great duty to conquer them all by the fear of God. The livelier the fear of God is - the less power will sin have over you. Therefore in the future commit yourself fully to tenderly fear the Lord your God - in order that the fear of God may guard you and direct your thoughts, words, and deeds. Oh, if only I could make you more lively in this! Give careful attention to the following incentives; may you be tender and pliable.

First, does not God have all the perfections within Himself which are able to engender reverence? He is majestic, glorious, omnipotent, holy, good, and awe-inspiring; that is His nature. How can anyone therefore be in the presence of God without fear and reverence?

Consider what has been expressed in the Word of God: "Who is like unto You, O Lord, among the gods? who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" (Exodus 15:11); "That you may fear this glorious and fearful name - the Lord your God" (Deu. 28:58); "For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: He also is to be feared above all gods" (1 Chron. 16:25; "O Lord God of heaven, the great and dreadful God" (Neh. 1:5). His wrath upon the sinner is dreadful. Who knows the power of Your anger? even according to Your fear, so is Your wrath" (Psalm 90:11). His goodness begets reverence in order that He may thus be feared in love. "But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared" (Psalm 130:4). Is it not proper, befitting, and requisite - that you, having been created by God and having received grace from God, fear this majestic God and tremble before Him?

Secondly, the root of the matter is indeed in you. You desire it and you cannot hear the fear of God mentioned, and your heart is inclined to it and your desires are stirred up. Why would you subdue this desire? All that has a principle of life is desirous for growth and perfection - which is thus also true for you in this respect. It is indeed natural if a servant fears his master and a child his father. You have chosen the Lord to be your Lord, and has not He given you the Holy Spirit of the adoption of children and set you among His children? Have you not entered into covenant with Him - that He would be a God unto you and that you would be the recipient of His favor? This must stir you up to fear your Lord and your Father. "If then I am a Father - where is My honor? And if I am a Master - where is My fear?" (Mal. 1:6). Acknowledge this relationship, and it will beget filial fear in you.

Thirdly, the fear of God is the fountain of all the holiness which delights you. Sinful lusts will lose their potency, corruptions which surface will readily be subdued, you will be stopped in the middle of sinning, and you will find yourself inclined toward the practice of all manner of virtues. "The fear of Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Pro. 9:10); "The fear of the Lord is clean" (Psalm 19:9); "The fear of the Lord tends to life:" (Pro. 19:23); "...perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Cor. 7:1).

Fourthly, the Lord has pleasure in those who fear Him. It ought to be a very precious matter to us - that God is pleased with us. It ought to be our great desire and earnest endeavor - to be pleasing to the Lord. God is, however, pleased with the fear of God, for therein the acknowledgement and the glorification of His perfections coalesce. "The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him" (Psalm 147:11). How lovely it is when man delights himself in God - and when God finds pleasure in man!

~Wilhelmus A'Brakel~

(The End)
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The Revival Song

(Tune: "There Shall be Showers")

Lord, we are hungry for blessing,
This is in tune with Thy Word;
Now, as our need we're confessing,
Give us new hearts, cleansed and stirred.

Chorus:

Visit our city,
Lord, save our nation, we pray.
Quicken our love and our zeal, and
Send us revival today!

Great is the need of our nations,
Great is the need of this hour;
Lord, we abhor our stagnation,
Answer with Holy Spirit power.

Look on our great desperation,
Hold back Thy judgment we pray;
Move through the length of our nation,
Open Thy windows today.

~Leonard Ravenhill~
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Nearer, Still Nearer

Nearer, still nearer, I draw to Thee,
All through the offering that Thou gavest me.
Jesus my Saviour, God's only Son,
Paid my redemption; now barriers are gone;
Paid my redemption; now barriers are gone.

Nearer, still nearer, Lord, I would come
All through the merits of Thine only Son;
His perfect offering cleanses my heart,
Now to this temple Thy Spirit impart;
Now to this temple Thy Spirit impart.

Nearer, still nearer; come more and more.
Jesus my Master, I long to adore
Thee for Thy mercy, patience and power;
Thee will I worship, rejoice evermore;
Thee will I worship, rejoice evermore.

Nearer, still nearer, down at Thy feet,
Through Thy atonement my offering's complete.
Sanctify body, spirit, and soul,
My all is utterly 'neath Thy control;
My all is utterly 'neath Thy control.

~Leonard Ravenhill~