Will You Fear the Lord? -- 12/2/07

Sunday, December 2, 2007

WILL YOU FEAR THE LORD?

Think with me for a moment. What are some of the most stable things you can think of? I’m thinking of the ocean. Because many of us see the ocean so infrequently, we tend to be fascinated when we do see it. Its waves come rolling in with an unrelenting consistency. Its tides are so regular they can be predicted with precise accuracy. Though storms come and go, when they are done, the sea remains just as it was before. Or consider the mountains. We only have to turn our eyes to the east or the west to see these mighty fixtures that God created. The weather assaults them year after year; man may use his equipment to blast a road through them… but they remain the same. When we come back from a long trip, they are always there when we return. Neither the sea nor the mountains are swayed by any of the forces that attack them.

But now would you read with me Psalm 114…
When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language; 2. Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion. 3. The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back. 4. The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs. 5. What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? 6. Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs? 7. Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob; 8. Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.

Listen to the Word of the Lord. His people were slaves under the mighty hand of Pharaoh. Surely nothing could ever change that, but God did. Forget about Moses and Aaron, the human instruments by which He delivered them. It was God who brought them out of Egypt. And what happened when the Lord led His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness? The sea fled.
We know the story. We can read the short version of it in Ex. 14:21, "And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided." The skeptic reads that and tries to find natural ways to explain it. "Well, it wasn’t really a sea they crossed, but just a marsh land." Of course, anyone who really thinks about it wonders how the entire Egyptian army was later drowned in the shallow marshland. But when God Himself explains what happens, He gives a more descriptive and poetic picture: "The sea saw it, and fled." When confronted by the Lord who created it with an authoritative word, the sea fled. So the Lord says to the sea, "What ails you, O sea, that you fled before me?"

It was the same with the Jordan River and the mountains. They were moved by the presence of Almighty God, as He led His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. The Jordan was driven back. Remember that 40 years after Israel crossed the Red Sea, they (the younger generation) would cross the Jordan River in the same way. Not only was the Jordan driven back, but even the mountains skipped like rams and the little hills like rams. How do mountains and hills skip? I have no idea. But surely this skipping speaks of joy. When God triumphed over the Egyptians and their gods, when He successfully brought His people out of Egypt and into the Promised Land, even the mountains and hills were moved with rejoicing. We read similar language in Ps. 96:11-13…
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. 12. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice 13. Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

Now come back to Psalm 114. Let’s read again verses 7-8, "Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob; 8. Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters." Ultimately, the earth trembled at the command of the Lord, the Lord who was able to bring water out of the rock to satisfy the thirst of His people. Nothing the Lord created is unmoved at His mighty presence. We find this same truth in Ps. 97:1-6…
The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. 2. Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. 3. A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. 4. His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. 5. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. 6. The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.

Who is this God before whom all creation trembles? Let’s read it in the Word of God. We read the latter part of Psalm 96, but now let’s go back and read Ps. 96:1-9…
O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth. 2. Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; show forth his salvation from day to day. 3. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. 4. For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. 5. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. 6. Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 7. Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 8. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. 9. O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

Did you hear that? He is to be feared above all gods. All the other so-called gods are idols made by men’s hands, but the Lord made the heavens. "Fear before him, all the earth." Come over to Ps. 113:3-6…
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised. [Why?] 4. The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. 5. Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, 6. Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!

Listen to me. There are two great truths about God which seem to be contradictory, but both are true. It is what is known as a paradox. It doesn’t seem possible for both to be true, but they are. I am speaking about the truths that God is transcendent and immanent. No, those are not biblical words, but they are terms that have been used down through the years to communicate these truths about God. To say that God is transcendent is simply to say that "He is exalted far above the created universe, so far above that human thought cannot imagine it" (as A. W. Tozer puts it… "The Divine Transcendence" in The Knowledge of the Holy, p. 69). God’s immanence emphasizes that God is near. Both are true – God is high above all, but He has come near in Jesus Christ.

One of these truths must not be emphasized to the exclusion of the other, and yet that is what we find in our day. And which of these truths is emphasized so much in our day, while the other is largely neglected? We are told again and again that God is near. When we think of the incarnation, we are reminded that one of Jesus’ names is "Immanuel," which means "God with us." Praise God for that truth! It is proper that it should be greatly emphasized. BUT it is tragic that professing Christians have come to believe that because God has come near in Christ, He is no longer exalted high above the heavens.

Come back again to Ps. 113:4, "The Lord is high above all nations and his glory above the heavens." We read the same truth in Is. 57:15, "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." We must understand that when the biblical writers speak of the Lord God being high above the earth and the heavens, they are not speaking about geography and space. The exaltation of God cannot be measured in miles. It isn’t a matter of the Lord’s elevation in space. When they describe God as high above everything else, they are focusing on His quality of being, the truth that the Lord is unique, that He is like no other. We sang it earlier from I Sam. 2:2, "There is none holy as the Lord; for there is none beside thee; neither is there any rock like our God."

If we aren’t careful, we will put God at the top of the ladder. At the bottom are inanimate objects and lower forms of life. As we move up the ladder, we finally come to man. And then much higher up on the ladder we place God. That is wrong. God isn’t on that ladder. He is Creator; we are creatures, and there is a great gulf fixed between the two. God is in a class all by Himself.
How do we respond to a God like that? Consider a man who became great among men. He would lead over two million people for 40 years. How did that man respond to God? Let’s read it in Ex. 3:1-6…
Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. 2. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. 3. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. 4. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. 5. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. 6. Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
Moses had to hid his face, because he was afraid.

Let’s look at the prophet Daniel and how he responded in the presence of the Lord God. Dan. 10:5-9…
Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: 6. His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. 7. And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. 8. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. 9. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.

We could look at many others, but someone will surely say, "But these were Old Testament men. That was before Jesus came, and He changed everything." Then let’s look at Peter in the presence of the Lord Jesus. Turn to Luke 5 and I will remind you of the story. Jesus told Peter to move out into the deep waters and expect to catch many fish in his net. You remember Peter’s response in Lk. 5:5, "Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing; nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net." When they did, they had so many fish that the net broke. When their partners came over to help, they filled both boats so full of fish that they began to sink. Now let’s read 5:8, "When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord."

Or consider Saul, the great persecutor the church. This presence of this man struck fear into many. He had great authority and power and was filled with zeal to carry out his plan against the Christians. Now listen to his experience in Acts 9:3-6…
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5. And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

The man whom so many feared now trembled in the presence of the risen Lord, saying, "Lord, what do you want me to do."

Will not someone say, "But that was before they knew the Lord and walked with them. It was different after they had received the Holy Spirit and had fellowship with Jesus." Perhaps we should go to the end of the book to find someone who had walked with Jesus a long time. His name is John, and he is the human author of the book of Revelation. By the time of this writing, John was an old man. He had walked with the Lord ever since he was a young man, when Jesus had said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." In the Gospel which he wrote (the Gospel of John) four times he refers to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." Here was a man who was loved by the Lord and had walked with him for many, many years. So let’s read his story in Rev. 1:10-17a…
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11. Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 12. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13. And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15. And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 17. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.

Here was a New Testament saint who saw the Lord. And how did he respond? Very much like the Old Testament saint Isaiah. Is. 6:1-5…
In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 4. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. 5. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

If anything, John’s response was even more drastic than that of Isaiah. John fell at the feet of Jesus like a dead man.

Why am I reading all these passages to you this morning? Why am I emphasizing to you the transcendence of God, the truth that God is exalted high above all creation? Because if I don’t, who will? And because this is what the Lord has been preaching to me all week. Perhaps I shouldn’t need to be reminded, but I do.
Come to Rom. 3:10-18…
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11. There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14. Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15. Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16. Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17. And the way of peace have they not known: 18. There is no fear of God before their eyes.

If we could sum up the overall climate of American Christianity, perhaps there would be no better and concise summary than this: "There is no fear of God before their eyes." And don’t think for a moment that we can say, "But we’re not like that." The world professes the popular slogan: "No fear." Don’t think that attitude hasn’t invaded the church. We have been conformed to the world more than we know.

But what is the fear of God? This is one of those scriptural concepts that we find over and over in the scriptures, but the Lord did not see fit to give us a handy little definition. Perhaps that is because the fear of God is so profound that it defies definition; it won’t fit into our little categories. While I may not be able to explain what it is, I can proclaim with confidence that it is vital.

The fear of God is that attitude of fear and trembling that follows an understanding and acknowledgment of who God is. Conversely, there is no fear of God before the eyes of men who do not understand and acknowledge who God is. If God is a being we have made in our image, there is no reason to fear Him. If He is our buddy, then there is no reason to fear Him. But if God is the "I AM THAT I AM," who created and sustains the entire universe, how can we stand before Him?

In our day there is much confusion about the fear of God. Many people want to make the fear of God an Old Testament concept that we New Testament saints have outgrown. Please listen to some wise words from A. W. Tozer...
In olden days men of faith were said to "walk in the fear of God" and "to serve the Lord with fear." However intimate their communion with God, however bold their prayers, at the base of their religious life was the conception of God as awesome and dreadful… This fear of God was more than a natural apprehension of danger; it was a nonrational dread, an acute feeling of personal insufficiency in the presence of God the Almighty. (p. 71; see above)

So why is it that there is so little fear of God in our day? It is because we have lost the understanding of who God really is. Man has tried to make God like himself, as we read in Ps. 50:21a, "These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself…" When we see God for who He really is, how can we do anything but tremble in His presence? Our great need is to take our concept of God from the Word itself, not from hearsay.

Come back to Rev. 1:17. We read the first part of the verse, but we didn’t finish it. Let’s read again Rev 1:17, "And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:" Isn’t that amazing? John fell at Jesus’ feet as a dead man, and then Jesus said to him, "Fear not, for I am the first and the last." John was full of the fear of God, but then Jesus told him not to fear. So does that mean that John was wrong to fall at Jesus’ feet. Never. So what does it mean? I confess that it is more than I can understand. This is the paradox of the transcendence and eminence of God. On the one hand, He is so exalted that no man can see Him and live. On the other hand, Jesus could lay His right hand upon John and tenderly tell him to "Fear not."

And this incident is not unique. We find the exact same thing in Ex. 20:19-20, "And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. 20. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not." Isn’t that amazing! Don’t be afraid, because I have come to make you afraid, so that you won’t sin. I find that to be much like the situation with John and Jesus in Rev. 1:17. Both Israel and John had plenty of reason to fear, but the Lord told them not to be afraid. Whatever it meant to not be afraid, it was not intended to do away with the fear of the Lord.

Consider a very imperfect illustration. Think for a minute about fire. While it is an imperfect illustration, there is some validity to it, for we are told in the Word that the Lord our God is a consuming fire (Deut. 4:24; 9:3; Heb. 12:29). Our first experience with fire causes us to be very afraid of it, and for good reason. The child that isn’t afraid of fire is a foolish child. A wise parent will teach his child to be afraid of fire. I suppose it’s possible to overdo it, as my dear wife is still afraid of fire. She supervises the lighting and disposal of every match. When her mom told her not to play with matches, she took it seriously.

While the young child is afraid of fire, as he grows older, his attitude changes. He learns that fire can be very useful, when handled properly. It can warm the body, cook our food, and provide light. Through the centuries, hundreds and thousands of ways have been discovered for the use of fire.

Now let me ask you a question: As adults in 21st century America, do we fear fire? Do we? Not as a small child fears fire, but we do fear it. While we make use of it and are around it in one form or another, we still have a healthy fear of fire. Why? Because it is a powerful force that is not always predictable. A few years ago a fire broke out in the Sacramento Mountains. At the time, Mark and Ellen Hinsch were living not too far from Weed. When Ellen was notified, she had only a matter of minutes to leave. Though we have found fire to be so useful and beneficial, that fire could not be controlled. The Lord moved the fire by the speed and direction of His wind, and no man had any control over it.

When such a fire has finally been put out or burned itself out, we can go back and look at what it has done. Whether we see the aftermath of the fire or actually watch it burn through the forest, we stand in awe of its power and unpredictability. So we all have a great respect and appreciation for fire, and there is still a sense of awe when we get close to it and see its raw power.

While that illustration is imperfect, there is an analogy. Before we come into a relationship with God, we have every reason to be afraid, very afraid. Why? Jesus tells us clearly: "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matt. 10:28). And who is the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell? It is none other than God Almighty. When you hear someone say that God will never cast anyone into hell, know that such a person has swallowed the devil’s lie. God is the only one who will cast people into hell. Who can understand this truth and not fear? Only a fool.

But what about the Christian, the one who has been reconciled to God through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ? He is no longer the enemy of God, but now he has become a child of God, a joint heir with Jesus Christ. Does he still fear God? Many people would tell us "No," but we must decide whether we will follow the reasoning of man or the truth of God’s Word. The apostle Paul feared God. 2 Cor. 5:10-11a…
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men…

The word translated "terror" by the King James is simply the word "fear." Paul knew the fear of the Lord. He stood in awe of the God who will judge His people for the things done in this life. As we have already seen, John the beloved disciple feared the Lord. In the presence of the Lord Jesus, he fell down as a dead man. Anyone who thinks he can stand in the presence of Almighty God and not fear has deceived himself. No, it is not the same kind of fear experienced by the man who comes to understand he is lost without hope, but it is an awe that is far more than the respect we give any earthly creature.

You say, "How can a believer have joy, if he fears? Can fear and joy ever go together?" Indeed they can. We read in Psalm 100, "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing" (Ps. 100:1-2). But listen to Ps. 2:11, "Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling." It isn’t either/or; it is both/and. Yes, serve the Lord, but do it with fear. And by all means rejoice in the Lord, but do it with trembling. Again in Ps. 22:23, "Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel." The greatness and majesty of God that strikes dreadful fear into the heart of man also calls forth praise from the one who loves Him. The last mention of the fear of the Lord is in Rev. 19:5, "And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great." You who fear the Lord, praise Him.

Conclusion

Let’s close with some wonderful promises for those who fear God…

Ps 25:14 "The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant."
Ps 33:18 "Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;"
Ps 34:7 "The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them."
Ps 34:9 "O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him."
Ps 85:9 "Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land."
Ps 103:11 "For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him."
Ps 103:13 "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him."
Ps 103:17 "But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;"
Ps 111:10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever."
Prov 1:7 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Prov 9:10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."
Ps 115:11 "Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield."
Ps 115:13 "He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great."
Ps 145:19 "He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them."
Ps 147:11 "The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy."
Prov 10:27 "The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened."
Prov 14:26-27 "In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. 27. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death."
Prov 15:16 "Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith."
Prov 16:6 "By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil."
Prov 19:23 "The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil."
Prov 22:4 "By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life."
Eccl 8:12-13 "Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: 13. But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God."
Luke 1:50 "And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation."

In light of who God is and what He has promised to those who fear Him, "Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest" (Rev. 15:4).