DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO FEAR GOD?

FEAR GOD! KNOW YOUR PLACE! KNOW PEACE!

Psalm 128

Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,

who walks in his ways!

You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;

you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine

within your house;

your children will be like olive shoots

around your table.

Behold, thus shall the man be blessed

who fears the LORD.

The LORD bless you from Zion!

May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem

all the days of your life!

May you see your children's children!

Peace be upon Israel!

In this psalm of ascent, the pilgrims are reminded of the importance and blessing of fearing the Lord. This blessing is for all those who fear Him, which means to walk in His ways. This is an oft-repeated concept in Scripture:

Proverbs 9:10-11

        The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,

                and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

        For by me your days will be multiplied,

                and years will be added to your life.

Solomon, in Proverbs, adds the concept of the knowledge of the Holy One. In Chapter Two, he makes it very clear that the fear of the Lord is the result of listening to and practicing the commandments of the LORD.

Proverbs 2:1-5

        My son, if you receive my words

                and treasure up my commandments with you,

        making your ear attentive to wisdom

                and inclining your heart to understanding;

        yes, if you call out for insight

                and raise your voice for understanding,

        if you seek it like silver

                and search for it as for hidden treasures,

        then you will understand the fear of the LORD

                and find the knowledge of God.

The writer of Psalm 111 states clearly that fearing God includes practicing His commands.

Psalm 111:10

        The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;

                all those who practice it have a good understanding.

                His praise endures forever!

Fearing the LORD means to be awe-stricken by the holiness of God, recognizing our fallen position and filled with gratitude for His grace toward us, as we trust Him with every aspect of our lives.

A person who fears God cannot presume that he has anything good to offer Him, within himself. He knows that he depends upon God for every aspect of his life, both spiritual and physical, and offers complete, joyful submission to the self-sufficient, sovereign LORD of the universe.

Because He is the source of all wisdom, it is God alone Who gives wisdom and understanding.

Proverbs 2:6-8

        For the LORD gives wisdom;

                from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

        he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

                he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

        guarding the paths of justice

                and watching over the way of his saints.

As the pilgrims returned to Jerusalem, they knew that they could find rest, peace, and joy in trusting their Creator and Lord.

As you can see, our lack of fear of the Lord not only brings into question our relationship with God, but also is completely foolish. There is no benefit in trusting ourselves or becoming rebellious.

The Word of God will reveal the character and the wisdom of God, it will expose our inability to do anything good apart from the Lord, and it will produce great peace and trust in the sovereignty of God.

God reminds us to place our lives, our families, our all in His hands - and we will surely be blessed!