Friday - Psalm 128 - Fear Brings Forth Fruit

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OMETIMES I fear God. Sometimes I foolishly fear nothing and nobody.  At those bad times when I proceed without caution or care, I place myself (and others) in the path of grave danger.  Of course, fearing men is an inhibition (Proverbs 29:25).  But, fearing God is essential (I Peter 2:17) and (according to this psalm), fruitful.

First of all, fear can produce careful obedience (Psalm 128:1).  We tend to do things God's way when we are mindful of just how dangerous it is to spurn His authority.  When we remember how powerful and assiduous our God is in His oversight of our lives, we naturally lean toward compliance.  His greatness should produce faith and fear in our hearts.  And in turn, our fear of Him is supposed to produce certain things in us and for us... in addition to righteousness.

According to Psalm 128:2, the fear of God in us allows God to allow us to use the things that we work so hard to produce.  (Is that confusing?)  And, happiness and success go along with that.  Seeing a fruitful wife and productive children are among the many blessings that God can pour out upon His yielding sons (Psalm 128:3).  A long life and a good life come to men who otherwise would not enjoy either, specifically if we learn to live with a proper respect and trepidation in light of God's magnificent holiness, His eminence, His immanence & the imminence of His return (look them up – it’s 3 different things).  

While it is true that perfect love is a higher and nobler motivator than fear (1^stJohn 4:18), the fear of God is wonderfully productive in this life. Of course, victory is available to us even now, if we will just claim it.  Just think of how frequently Christ told His followers not to be afraid!  In this dispensation, we can be fruitful without fear if we can master that great thing called "the love of God" (2^ndTimothy 1:7).  Sadly, most of us have learned to submit to neither love nor fear, at least not entirely.