The Benefits of Fearing God and Keeping His Commandments
Psalm 112:1-112:2 (NIV, NIRV, TNIV, KJV)
How to Fear God and Keep His Commands (Psa 112:1,2)
"Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commands. He will not fear when the evil day comes. Because his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord."
Fear of God - A reverential trust in God with a hatred for evil.
Illustration: submitting to one another in the fear of God. —Ephesians 5:21
A mild-mannered man was reading a book on being self-assertive and decided to start at home. So he stormed into his house, pointed a finger in his wife’s face, and said, "From now on I’m boss around here and my word is law! I want you to prepare me a gourmet meal and draw my bath. Then, when I’ve eaten and finished my bath, guess who’s going to dress me and comb my hair." "The mortician," replied his wife.
King Rehoboam tried that kind of self-assertiveness and it turned Israel against him. When he came to the throne, the people pleaded for less oppressive taxation. His older advisors urged him to heed their request, but his young friends told him to be even more demanding than his father. As a result of listening to his peers, 10 of the 12 tribes of Israel seceded and formed a new kingdom (2 Chronicles 10:16-17).
Good leaders don’t rely on domineering self-assertion—not at home, nor in church, nor in business. Rather, they balance self-assertiveness (which isn’t wrong in itself) with the principle of submitting to one another (Ephesians 5:21). They listen respectfully, admit when they’re wrong, show a willingness to change, and mix gentleness with firmness. That’s submissive leadership—and it works! —Herb Vander Lugt
Submissive leadership requires
A kind and gentle honesty
That will attend to others’ needs
And win their love and loyalty. —D. De Haan
The only leaders qualified to lead are those who have learned to serve. (Our Daily Bread)
Illustration: Be Encouraged
Author Unknown
The next time you feel like God can’t use you, just remember...
Noah was a drunk.
Abraham was too old.
Isaac was a daydreamer.
Jacob was a liar.
Leah was ugly.
Joseph was abused.
Moses had a stuttering problem.
Gideon was afraid.
Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer.
Rahab was a prostitute.
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young.
David had an affair and was a murderer.
Elijah was suicidal.
Isaiah preached naked.
Jonah ran from God.
Naomi was a widow.
Job went bankrupt.
John the Baptist ate locusts.
Peter denied Christ.
The Disciples fell asleep while praying.
Martha worried about everything.
Mary Magdalene was, well you know.
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once.
Zaccheus was too small.
Paul was too religious.
Timothy had an ulcer...
Lazarus was dead!
And God isn’t finished with you yet. You are a vessel He will and can use, if you make yourself available as each of the above did. Fear the Lord and He will bless you despite your circumstances.
1. PROMISES FOR FEARING GOD -
a. Oh, fear the Lord you His saints for to those who fear Him there is no want. (Psa. 34:9)
b. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 1:7)
c. By humility and the fear of the Lord is honor, riches and life. (Prov. 22:4)
d. Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways. (Psa. 128:1)
e. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them. (Psa. 145:19)
f. The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love. (Psa 147:11)
g. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death. (Prov. 14:27)
2. WHAT WE SHOULD NOT FEAR -
a. The fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. (Prov. 29:25)
b. King Saul made a terrible mistake when he said, "I fear the people." (I Sam. 15:24)
c. Do not fear earthly calamities (Luke 21:25-28)
d. Do not fear punishments (Heb. 10:27)
e. Do not fear "fear itself" (Job 15:24)
f. Do not fear troubles. The Lord said, "Fear not for I am with you" (Isa. 41:10)
g. Do not fear about your worries or insecurities. (Phil. 4:6,7)
3. WE ARE COMMANDED TO ONLY FEAR THE LORD -
a. "You will walk after the Lord your God and fear Him and keep His commandments and obey His voice and serve Him and cling to Him. (Deut 13:4)
b. "Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King. (I Pet. 2:17)
c. "Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." (2 Cor. 7:1)
d. By fearing God we are able to live circumspect lives
4. HOW TO DESCRIBE THE FEAR OF GOD TO OTHERS -
a. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. (Prov. 8:13)
b. Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. (Prov. 15:16)
c. The fear of the Lord is sanctifying - cleansing the heart, conscience and mind. (Psa. 19:9)
d. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life. (Prov. 14:27)
e. The fear of the Lord helps us worship God.
f. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Psa. 111:10)
g. For to those who fear Him there is no want. (Psa. 34:9)
5. MOTIVATIONS TO FEAR GOD -
a. God’s holiness causes us to fear Him. "Who will not fear you, O Lord and glorify your name? For you alone are holy." (Rev. 15:4)
b. God’s greatness causes us to fear Him. (Deut. 10:12-17)
c. The goodness of the Lord causes us to fear Him. (I Sam 12:24)
d. God’s forgiveness motivates us to fear Him. (Psa. 130:4)
e. God’s great works and deeds cause us to fear Him. (Josh. 4:23,24)
f. His coming judgments cause us to fear the Lord. (Rev. 14:7)
g. Answers to prayer cause us to fear God. (John 15:7)
6. WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO FEAR GOD? -
a. To facilitate our worship - In reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple. (Psa. 5:7)
b. To encourage spiritual growth - Speaking the truth in love, let us grow up in all aspects into Christ. (Eph. 4:15)
c. To encourage greater service - "Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling (Psa. 2:11)
d. To have good governance over people. "When one rules over men in righteousness when he rules in the fear ofGod, he is like the light of a morning at sunrise." (2 Sam. 22:3,4)
e. To facilitate good administration and justice (2 Chron. 19:6-9)
f. To perfect holiness. (2 Cor. 7:1)
g. To keep us from sin and self-destruction (Ex 20:20)
7. RESULTS OF FEARING GOD -
a. It brings pleasure to the Lord - (Psa. 147:11)
b. It increases the Lord’s sense of pity for His children (Psa. 103:13)
c. It brings greater acceptance with God. (Acts 10:35)
d. It brings the mercy of God. (Psa. 103:17)
e. It brings greater blessings. (Psa. 112:1,2)
f. It brings greater confidence (Prov. 14:26)
g. It brings separation from evil (Prov. 16:6)
h. It brings Christian fellowship (Mal. 3:16)
i. It supersedes the fear of man (Isa. 8:12,13)
j. It brings greater answers to prayer (Psa. 145:19)
k. It brings long life. (Prov. 10:27)
8. PRAYER FOR GROWING IN OUR FEAR OF GOD -
"Teach me your way, O Lord and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name. (Psa. 86:11)
Conclusion: British statesman W. E. Gladstone (1809-98) visited Christ Church College and spoke optimistically about the betterment of English society during his lifetime. His outlook was so positive that a student challenged him: "Sir, are there no adverse signs?" Gladstone reflected, "Yes, there is one thing that frightens me-- the fear that God seems to be dying out of the minds of men."
Obeying the first commandment would prevent this from happening. Yet man attempts to make gods out of money, material possessions, pleasure, knowledge, people, and in so doing forgets the true God. But no created thing can ever fill the place in our heart God intends for Himself.
A child was asked, "How many gods are there?" "Only one," he replied. "How do you know?" "Because," he said, "God fills heaven and earth, so there’s room for only one."
Our worship of God becomes focused when we receive Jesus as our personal Savior, for He is God in the flesh (Jn. 1:14). But why does God command us to love and worship Him alone? Because in Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28), and from Him we receive eternal life (Col. 1:13-18). He has every right to say, "No other gods!" because He alone is the living and true God, who created us and redeemed us. --DJD
Only God who fills the universe can fill the human heart. (Our Daily Bread)
