Different from the verses above, there is another kind of fear that is often seen together with joy…a kind of fear that even seems to increase joy. Check these out:
“He put a song of joy in my mouth…many will see, fear, and trust in the Lord.” (Ps 40:3)
“Let the nations rejoice and praise Him… He blesses us, that the ends of the earth with fear Him.” (Ps 67:4-7)
“The cheerful heart has a continual feat. It is better to have little with the fear of the Lord, than have great treasure without it.” (Proverbs 15:15-16)
Upon seeing the resurrected Lord, the women left the tomb with fear and great joy. (Matthew 28:8-10)
Our coming salvation brings us great joy…So we should live in fear on the earth. (1 Peter 5-6, 17)
So this is the fear of the Lord… A reverence and awe of Him living in ever-increasing awareness of a God-shaped reality. “None of the available synonyms in the English language…seems quite adequate… finding ourselves in the sacred presence…” (This quote and a wonderful discussion about ‘fear of the Lord’ come from Christ Plays in 10,000 Places, pg. 42-43.) More tomorrow…
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