There is a People in the World that Fear God’s Name
(This is referring to the God of the Bible of course – and no other gods. In fact, by fearing the God of the Bible, we are set free from fear of other gods. )
‘There is a people in the world that fear God’s name.
There is a heritage peculiar to that people;
present comforts in the soul,
earnests of future bliss.’
Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary Psalm 61:5-8
‘THERE IS A PEOPLE IN THE WORLD THAT FEAR GOD’S NAME;’
Are you one of these people who fear God’s name? Many people call themselves Christian, but have no idea of what it really means to be a follower of Christ. Many other Christians take no thought that their personal actions show fear of God, OR show personal self will. Rather, they rely on God’s mercy and forgiveness, thinking He will always overlook their willful and rebellious actions. The Christian who truly loves God will consider God’s sacrifice in making a way that the individual can be reconciled to Him. He or she will attempt to live his or her life in a manner that shows gratitude for such sacrifice and love. The Christians who truly fear God’s name will love God more than they love themselves. This will show in how they live their lives.
‘THERE IS A HERITAGE PECULIAR TO THAT PEOPLE;’
Our heritage is at least in part salvation and fellowship with the Lord.
A great danger for all Christians is to be exposed to anything that separates us from the God of our salvation. No Christian is ever too old to consider the children’s song that says:
‘Oh be careful little eyes what you see,
little hands what you do,
little ears what you hear,
little feet where you go,
little heart what you love….’
If you neglect to be careful of all these things, you are in danger of separating yourself from God’s fellowship. There no joy in the life of a Christian who is without good fellowship with God. An earthly comparison is when a husband and wife are at odds with each other. Neither is happy nor content until the rift between them has been repaired. So is our fellowship with God. If something is standing between the Christian and God, the obstacle should be dealt with ASAP.
‘PRESENT COMFORTS IN THE SOUL,’
Psalm 46:1 says, ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.’ What can be more comforting than this? If the fellowship between the individual Christian and God is on sound footing, then help will be there for whatever trial the Christian may face. Think how marvelous the help if an entire New Testament Church is in solid fellowship with Christ.
‘EARNESTS OF FUTURE BLISS.’
‘Earnests’ is defined as a ‘sign, foretaste, or pledge of something to come; a portion of something, given or done in advance as a pledge of the remainder.’
Our earthly blessings are ‘earnests’ from God. They are just ‘tastes’ and ‘shadows’ of the good things to come when we live in heaven. By faith we know that the things of heaven and eternity are greater than our capacity to know and understand. (1 Corinthians 2:9) I never dream of understanding rocket science or trigonometry. It seems dull and boring to me, and without any use what so ever. However, I do dream of heaven and what it will be like there. By the good things I have and seen and experienced on earth, I have a foretaste of heaven. I believe the evil I have seen and experienced are foretastes of hell.
I thank God that through Jesus Christ I will never fully experience or understand the horrors of hell.
I thank God that through Jesus Christ I WILL experience heaven in its entirety.
Matthew Henry’s Bible commentary is available free online at http://christnotes.org
Fearing God has great benefits. (http://biblegateway.com )
1. Job 28:28
And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
2. Psalm 19:9
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
3. Psalm 34:11
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
4. Psalm 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.
5. Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
6. Proverbs 1:29
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
7. Proverbs 2:5
Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
8. Proverbs 8:13
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
9. Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
10. Proverbs 10:27
The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
Proverbs 10:26-28 (in Context) Proverbs 10 (Whole Chapter)
11. Proverbs 14:26
In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
12. Proverbs 14:27
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
13. Proverbs 15:16
Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
14. Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
15. Proverbs 16:6
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
16. Proverbs 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.
17. Proverbs 22:4
By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
18. Proverbs 23:17
Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
19. Isaiah 11:2
And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
20. Isaiah 11:3
And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
21. Isaiah 33:6
And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.
22. Acts 9:31
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
http://biblegateway.com
