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Psalm 25:12-15 Fear and Friendship of the Lord

July 19, 2021 | by: Gregg Hunter | 1 comments

Posted in: Psalm 25

Is it possible to love someone and still be afraid of them? Absolutely! Most children can testify to this on at least two accounts: (1) if you’ve ever had to move away from home and leave behind some of your dearest friends, then, when you next make friends, no matter how much you care for them, you have a fear of losing them too; and (2) if your parents have ever punished you severely for some infraction of their rules, then you learned to fear their wrath, though you love them and know how much they love you.

It is also possible to love the Lord and fear Him. It is even possible to fear Him and be friends with Him at the same time, as David illustrates in Psalm 25:12-15. Please read those verses now.

 

“The man who fears the Lord” is the man who has a healthy respect of God; the man who holds God in reverence; the man who obeys the Lord. Only this man will receive the instructions of the Lord. God will not toss His pearls before swine. If you fail to obey His simple commands, He will not entrust you with greater commands. But, if you are faithful, if you fear Him and honor Him, then He will instruct you.

How will He instruct you? “In the way that He should choose.” Perhaps your Bible does not use a capital letter for “He” in this verse, and that has lead you astray. This is not saying that God will lead you in that way that you should choose, but in the way that God should choose. God allows us to make whatever choices we want, but He will only bless those choices that He wants us to make.

It has famously been said, “If we make our will God’s will, God will let us have our will.” Part of fearing the Lord is submitting to His will. Only once we have done that will He instruct us in His ways.

More than simple instruction, God will also provide for our every need. If we fear the Lord, then we need not fear anything else. God will provide for our needs and allow us to be content in His provision.

This provision is not only for us, but also for our children. It is true that some children from godly homes reject the provision of God, but that doesn’t mean that He has failed to keep His promise. His offer still stands for all those who would accept it. And, if our physical children do not fear the Lord, we are called to make spiritual children who will. Let us share the good news with others so that they too may experience the blessing of the Lord.

This blessing is summed up in one lovely word: friendship. When we fear the Lord, we become friends of the Lord. Isn’t it good news that Jesus no longer calls us servants, but friends (John 15:15)?! Yet, this friendship is born out of a healthy fear of the Lord. Only by honoring Him for who He really is, can we be invited to join Him as friends. “The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him.” It is to them that God reveals His covenant promises.

With this in mind, David then pledges His devotion and fear of the Lord. He will forever keep his focus on God, knowing that He can save him from the net of temptation. Perhaps, this look to the Lord is one of faith and hope. Or, as Charles Spurgeon says, it may be “the obedient look of service, the humble look of reverence, the admiring look of wonder, the studious look of meditation, the tender look of affection.” However you choose to look at the Lord, keep your eyes ever on Him. Fear Him, as your Friend.

1 COMMENTS

Jenny Balzano

Mar 15, 2021

The first thing that comes to mind after reading this blog: "fear the rod and spoil the child". This definitely comes from my upbringing- my Dad and Mom did not spare me a spanking if they deemed it necessary because I was disobeying. I was taught respect through this obedience.
I truly believe that if we follow God in obedience- we will strive to make wise choices because he will be leading us: leading us by studying his word and keeping our eyes/focus on him. This also allows us to receive the blessings- sometimes what we perceive as blessings-others would not. They may be simple. However, because God has called us to focus on not only the big things but the little things and to be humble and grateful: he will bestow many blessings on us-we just have to choose to recognize them.
I am thankful to have Jesus as my friend. This hymn comes to mind- "and he walks w/ me and he talks with me and he tells me I am his own and the joys we share as we tarry there...none other, have ever...known. He speaks and the sound of his voice, is so sweet-the birds hush their singing and the melody that he gave to me. Within my heart is calling...." I have always loved this song. I remember as a youth- walking w/ an elderly neighbor who played piano and sang soprano at our church. She would sing this as we took walks through the forest- by the moss and the rushing stream, past the deer. There are countless hymns about Jesus being our friend- 'What a friend we have in Jesus. all our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry. Everything to God in Prayer". We have no other friend like Jesus.

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