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23. The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
The fear of the LORD as a legal principle, it is a privilege to be exempt from.† As a grace of the gospel, cultivate it to the uttermost.† Threefold fruit is here set before us — life — satisfaction — security.† It tendeth to life — not the mere natural life, common to the ungodly — (though this blessing, so far as is good, is included†), but a heavenly, yea — an eternal, life† in the favor and enjoyment of God. So far as we are under its influence, we speak, pray, think, and deal with man, as if God was standing by. The genial beams of “the Sun of righteousness” nourish this holy principle (Malachi 4:2); and soon will it be perfected in the service above. (Revelation 15:3, 4.)
Meanwhile the satisfaction which it imparts is a precious privilege. The service of God is now our delight — our “great delight.” The law is no task-master over our heads, but a principle of life and joyous energy within. The worldling's heart is torn with ‘an aching void.’ He travels from one source of happiness to another, crying — “Who will shew me any good?” “LORD! lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon me” — is the cry and solid satisfaction of a child of God, above the best portion of earth. (Psalm 4:6, 7.) Instead of being cast from wave to wave, here is quiet rest. Whoever wants, “they that fear the LORD want no good thing. Their souls dwell at ease.” (Ib. 34:9, 10; 25:12, 13.) He that hath it shall abide satisfied. Is not this fixed repose and trust in his love the very soul of happiness?
If it be said, that an object of fear usually brings dread. ‘But add, whom — He that feareth the LORD. That touch turns it into gold. He that so fears, fears not.’† He has his “confidence and place of refuge — high and sure, an impregnable fortress.” (Chapter 14:26.) We do not begin to inquire the way. “God is known in the palaces of Zion as a sure refuge.” (Psalm 48:3.) We go to him as a God, with whom we are acquainted, and who is engaged in covenant to us. And now taking our sanctuary in God, we sit, and sing under his shadow. In this hiding-place how can any evil, properly so called, visit us? (Chapter 12:21.) What is evil in itself will turn to good. (Romans 8:28. Hebrews 12:11.) It cannot separate from God. It will tend only to bind us closer to him. We can tread upon scorpions unhurt, when our conscience is kept tender, and our heart fixed in his ways. We fear not his uplifted arm. But his frown of rebuke “enters into our soul.” His mercy sweeps away the fear of terror. His holiness maintains the fear of reverence. Conscious security only tends more than ever to make us dread departure and separation from his love.
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