December 21, 2019 -- Psalm 119:79 -- Exulting in the Fear of the LORD

Let those who fear you turn to me

that they may know your testimonies.

Psalm 119:79 English Standard Version

This is the second time in this stanza we encounter the expression: “fear you”. It is shorthand for the fuller expression “the fear of the LORD”. The fear of the LORD is an expression used dozens of times in the Bible:

It can be defined as a continual awareness that you are in the presence of

a holy, just, and almighty God, and that every motive, thought, word and action

is open before Him and will be judged by Him.

Definition from: Institute in Basic Life Principles

Those who fear the LORD recognize such in the lives of others when they meet them. You might meet someone who seems more alive, charismatic, someone to whom you are drawn and want to know better. For the Christian this happens when you meet another Christian. The Spirit of Jesus residing in you, recognizes another believer who walks in Jesus’ healing work and therefore knows and lives in the Fear of the LORD.

The writer of the Psalm is noting when one’s life shines for the glory of God, others are drawn to that person. When we are in the fire of His refining work, other Christians become for us, dearer and more precious. As their lives bear witness to the King of Glory, they remind us to hold fast to God—even more importantly than that—to know and believe that nothing and no one can snatch us out of His Fatherly hand.

One of the great mysteries for those outside the faith looking in is this: Where sins abound, where there are lots of sins, the grace and forgiveness of God abounds and increases even more. So, the cynic and the non-Christian ask: well then, sin away and let God’s super abundant grace flow over everything. Since God’s rich, wide, abundant, and healing, mercies are poured out on those who are in Jesus Christ, so nothing can take them from their Father. Why not sin away knowing God won’t cast them out? Ah, such a questioner has missed the point.

When the believer is griped by the grace and love of God—the Father Who would not let the devil have us and torment us; the Son Who willingly becomes the sacrifice that takes away our sin and paid the penalty in full for the sins we had committed; and the Spirit Who takes the great Truth of the Bible and shows us we are no longer enslaved to sins and addictions and ways that can only lead to death and hell—then our hearts soar. We long for the testimonies of the Living God—our very souls cry out: help me to know how to walk, how to live, how to serve You alone. We have already crunched between our teeth the pebbles of sin and crunched down on the banquet of sand that is sin and misery which is all the devil can offer and found it to be wanting—uselessness and death.

Now, fellow believer, now that we have tasted grace and walked in expansive love, we realize there is nothing like it. We cannot get enough of Him. We walk in the ways of God our Father because our souls find delight in Him. All other vices and all our former sins are exposed as death by a thousand cuts.

No wonder the Apostle Paul, writing to the Romans, going through doctrine and careful theological study breaks forth into praise and exclaims the glory of God:

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

“For who has known the mind of the Lord,
     or who has been his counselor?”

 “Or who has given a gift to him
     that he might be repaid?”

For from him and through him and to him are all things.

To him be glory forever. Amen

Romans 11:33-36 ESV

Glorious God, Father of All Mercies, thank You for the rich love You have shown us in Jesus Christ. King Jesus, rule in all our hearts alone. Spirit of Truth, lead us in the testimonies of the LORD. Spirit of God, let the fear of the LORD direct us into the ever wider, richer, more excellent life in Christ. As the writer of this psalm so aptly states it: “we will run in Your commandments when You enlarge our hearts!” Triune God: enlarge our capacity to delight in You, live for You and love You. Amen.