Reflection:
There’s a certain irony in being told that the way to be freed from your fears is to fear. Yet that’s what we see in Psalm 34. King David, in a place of significant danger, called out to the Lord and was delivered from his fears (v. 4). That’s what the Lord loves to do — to deliver, to free, to save. But whom does he deliver? ‘… those who fear him’ (v. 7).
What emotion comes to mind when you think about ‘fearing the Lord’. Terror? The type of terror that kicks those stress hormones into ‘high activate mode’? Dear Reader, this is not what David had in mind when he used this term, ‘fear of the Lord’.
Two pointers in earlier verses helps us to see what David wants us to understand: ‘those who look to the Lord are radiant’ (v. 5), and ‘taste and see that the Lord is good’ (v. 8). Terror doesn’t seem to be the emotion on view here. Michael Reeves[1] has helped me to see the key element in ‘fearing the Lord’. The believer has so tasted of the Lord’s goodness; they are so overwhelmed by his majesty and holiness and grace and righteousness, indeed by all that God is, that the faithful tremble.
As we look to our God and see his dazzling beauty and splendour, it causes our hearts to quake. Rather than terror, the emotions evoked are joy, gladness, thankfulness and awe that the God who created this vast universe, that this God loves us enough to notice us, to deliver us, and to give us refuge.
And guess what? When we respond to the Lord with trembling awe and joy, it brings him delight. Imagine that!
‘His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love’ (Psalm 147:10-11).
[1] Michael Reeves, Rejoice & Tremble
Prayer:
‘Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, and how pleasant and fitting it is to praise him!’ Today, open my eyes to your glory, splendour, and majesty. Fill me with your joy. Help me to understand what it truly means to live in fear of you. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Song
“Behold Him” by REVERE Mission House, Lee University Singers