“If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.” [Psalm 130:3-4 KJV]
There was a time when that verse seemed puzzling to me… how the fear of the Lord was linked to forgiveness. It seemed like the opposite would make more sense… that the fear of the Lord would come from seeing God’s wrath and judgment.
There are actually different kinds of the fear of the Lord. There’s one kind of fear of God that will motivate a man, because a God of justice, judgment, wrath, and punishment is watching. The other kind… a fear of the Lord that Psalm 19:9 describes as “clean”, is when you are motivated to righteousness, because you are watching God… the awesome, holy, magnificent God, who sees every single thing, but is willing to forgive. Most people will only know the first. Only a few know the second.
The fear of a God of vengeance watching you, diminishes as your awareness of His presence fades. The fear of God that comes by you setting your eyes on Him, endures forever.
[Psalm 19:7-14 KJV]
“7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”
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