Those who fear and love Him.
The love of God embraces the whole world and powerfully restrains wandering thoughts. Fear is the master of repentance. The love of God determines the fervor of our piety.
– The Rule of Comghall, Irish, 6th century[1]
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope in His mercy…
– Psalm 33.18
Again we encounter the combination of fear and love with respect to our attitude toward God. These two affections are inseparable; they work together to nurture us in a healthy, growing relationship with the Lord.
The fear of God leads us, hoping in His mercy, to repent of sin. Since we know what He is capable of as sovereign Lord and Judge, we appeal to His goodness (not ours) out of fear of His wrath (Heb. 12.3-11), as we turn away from our sins to walk in the way of His Word.
At the same time, the love of God ignites true piety in us, making us eager to know, serve, and please the Lord because of His mercy toward us. The fear of the Lord leads us to love Him Who shows us such mercy and undeserved love.
The promise of the psalmist is that God keeps a close watch on those who thus fear and love Him. Not that His eyes are not upon all His creatures at all times; rather, He attends more personally, and with more constant nurturing care, to those who walk with Him according to His will—in both fear and love.
Thus it behooves us to develop both of these affections toward God, so that we fear Him as Jesus said we should (Matt. 10.28), and we love Him with all our hearts as well (Matt. 22.34-40).
We nurture the fear of God by meditating on the greatness of His might and the holiness of His being, and by being brutally honest about our own sins and what they deserve. We can do this without fear of annihilation, moreover, because we know that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Rom. 8.1). So, while we increase in the fear of God, we have no fear of being condemned by Him because of Jesus.
Indeed, these are the days, the “afterward” days, when all who seek the Lord are called to fear Him and His goodness (Hos 3.5).
And here, in the very depths of our fear of God, is where we discover the love we have for Him. True love for God rises from the realization of His unfathomable mercy and unbounded grace; and it makes us eager to seek Him, that we may encounter His glory and be strengthened in His truth and love. Truth drives us to seek His Presence, become immersed in His Word, and walk in His Spirit each moment of our day.
We cannot have a proper relationship with God unless both of these affections are in place in our hearts and are increasing day by day. Today, earnestly hope in the steadfast love of the Lord—His constant, loving care of you in all your ways and needs. And take the time to nurture fear of Him by confessing your sins against the backdrop of His supreme holiness.
Then let a fervent desire for increased piety—that insatiable hunger for Kingdom righteousness—lead you to bask in His loving forgiveness and renewing grace throughout the day.
As Moses put it, “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good? (Deut. 10.12, 13). In the fear and love of God we may confidently expect to know His glory, to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ, and to live for His glory in every aspect of our lives.
For He is watching over us and working within us that we may know all the blessings of our salvation.
Questions for Reflection
1. Why do you think some Christians don’t like to think about fearing God?
2. How would you counsel a new believer to grow daily in the fear and love of God?
Psalm 33.8, 9 (Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns)
Let all below now fear the Lord; let all in awe of Him abide!
The worlds exist by Jesus’ Word; let all on earth in Him confide.
Give thanks
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Brush up on your witness for Jesus!
Two little books can help you gain confidence and skill in doing the work of evangelism. The Gospel of the Kingdom (click here) outlines the Good News we have to share; and Joy to Your World! (click here) leads you step-by-step in beginning to work your Personal Mission Field. Get them both; and read them over and over, as you step out in faith, where the Spirit can use you in His power.
Thank you.
Many of you are faithful and generous in praying for and supporting Crosfigell and The Fellowship of Ailbe. Thank you. May I encourage all our readers to seek the Lord about becoming a supporter of The Fellowship of Ailbe? It’s easy to give to The Fellowship of Ailbe, and all gifts are, of course, tax-deductible. You can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal or Anedot, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
T. M. Moore, Principal
tmmoore@ailbe.org
All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
[1] Ó Maidín, p. 32.
