Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD,
but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
Proverbs 28:14
but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
Proverbs 28:14
It is difficult to associate fear with happiness or being in the state of blessedness because fear has to do with scare, dread or torment. And when being tormented, how can I feel happy?
However, the Word of God says that there is a fear, the fear of the LORD, that makes a man truly happy. When I occupy my mind with holy awe and reverence of God, I am mindful of who He is and who I am.
God is holy, He is righteous. He is good and He is the truth. In Him, there is nothing that is unholy, unrighteous, evil or false. Whereas for me? I am sinful and imperfect. The good I want to do, I do not do. Instead I keep doing the bad things that I do not want to do.
Hence, when I who am sinful, come face to face with the holy God, it is only right that I am fearful! Fearful that with my sinful nature, it is so easy for me to sin against Him and causing Him much displeasure!
The only reason God accepts me is because of Jesus Christ. In Christ, God counts me righteous and justified before Him.
At the same time, I must be careful, lest I become presumptuous and think that I can come to God based on my own merits; My talents, My good works, My self-righteousness …Thinking that I am worthy of His love for me! When I harden my heart and depart from the grace of God, that's the time when I am dangerously in trouble!
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Do I have this fear so that I live the much more life God so desires to give to me?
Jessica Ho
