How Can You Fear and Rejoice at the Same Time?

The feast time is approaching. If you probably have noticed, you probably have, that today is exactly four weeks to trumpets. The feast is soon after that, as we know, so the feast is around the corner. And when we read in Deuteronomy 14, verse 22 through 26, it talks about taking your second tithe to the feast. It tells us, and it is important for us to just read it there, so let's go to Deuteronomy 14. Deuteronomy 14, we're talking about going to the feast with second tithe. And then it says, you'll eat it in the place that the Lord chooses. And then it says, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always. One of the purposes of keeping the feast and therefore taking that tithe and making it possible is that we may learn to fear the Lord your God always. And then a little later in verse 26 says, and you'll dare, you'll take, and you'll use that money to eat and to enjoy it. And it says, and you shall rejoice, you and your household. And so we are to fear the Lord and rejoice. And to some people it may appear a contradictory statement, fear and rejoice. And so today we want to talk about what is the fear of God, why we need it, and how we can learn more about the fear of God. Now the word fear in the Autonomy 14 verse 23 is a Hebrew word 3372 in the concordance, yare, so my apologies for the accent if it's not perfect, but it basically means correct fear be afraid, but it also means to revere, to stand in awe, to be awed, to honor, and to respect. So it is a word that applies to stand in awe, to honor, respect, revere. Also we see in 2 Samuel verse 23 David in his last words before he died, in 2 Samuel 23, and let's read starting from verse 1. These are the last words of David that says David the son of Jesse, thus says the man raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel. The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and his word was on my tongue. The God of Israel said, the rock of Israel spoke to me, he who rules over man must be just ruling in the fear of God. A godly ruler must rule in the fear of God. In that reverence, standing in awe, honoring, and respecting God. And then he says, and he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises. You know, when you get up early in the morning and you see a sunrise, it is so beautiful and so peaceful. And he says, you rules over man, a morning without clouds, like the tender grass, springing out of the earth by clear shining of the rain. So it is a ruler that rules in the fear of God. The outcome will be peace and pleasantness for those that are the subjects of that government or of that country. And so the implication is that that ruler will execute justice, will execute justice. In Hebrews chapter 4, talking about Christ, in Hebrews chapter 4 verse 15, Hebrews chapter 4 verse 15 and 16, he says, for we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses. Brethren, our high priest, Jesus Christ, sympathizes with our weaknesses and frailties.

But was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin, let us therefore come boldly, that is with courage, with confidence, trusting, to the throne of grace, yes, there is grace, that you may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. You know, we all have weaknesses and we're not all under rulers that rule under the fear of God. Not all men are indeed fearing God in their responsibilities, as we heard in the sermonette.

It is lovely when a husband and a wife, they have that deep mutual respect for one another, in which the husband loves the wife, that means cares and gives of his life for the wife, and the wife loves the family and cares and tenders the family. But not all in this world are like that, regrettably. And our high priest can sympathize for our weaknesses. That is very encouraging, and because he is merciful, we revere him. We stand in awe of his loving-kindness and graciousness. We honor and respect him.

And so what do we have? We have a requirement of justice when we have the fear of God, like a ruler, rules of justice. We have a situation of being merciful and sympathy from God to us, and therefore we can come boldly in faith and trust before God's throne of grace. Have you noticed that justice, mercy, and faith are melded into this fear of the Lord? And then we read in Proverbs 29, Proverbs 29 verse 2, Proverbs 29 verse 2, the outcome of this situation when the righteous are in authority. It says, when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.

When the righteous is ruling, whether he is the king of a nation or a governor of a territory, whether he is the head of a household, when he rules with the fear of God, the people rejoice. But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. How true that is. But a righteous rule under the fear of God, with this deep respect standing in awe, with honor, and reverence to God, that leads to rejoicing. That leads to happiness. And that is why the fear of God and rejoicing go hand in hand, because rejoicing is an outcome of doing things with a proper respect to God.

We were in Hebrews a moment ago, so let's go back to Hebrews, but now to chapter 5. And we're going to start reading in verse 7 when it talks about Christ. Hebrews chapter 5 verse 7. I'll start verse 5 through to verse 7. Hebrews 5, 5 to 7. He says, So also Christ did not glorify himself to become a high priest, but it was he who said to him, it was the father who said to him, You are my son.

Today I have begotten you. As he also says in another place, you, that's the father, says to Christ, you are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. And verse 7, Who? That's Christ in the days of his flesh, when he had offered prayers and supplications of vehement cries and tears. When you and I are going through trials and difficulties and challenges that are extremely difficult, Christ can sympathize for that because he went through it as well. And to him, and he cried and supplicated to God the father who was able to save him from death.

And yes, he did save him because he resurrected him from death and was heard because of his godly fear, because of his godly fear. The Greek word yah is eulabia, which represents a caution, a circumspection, a discretion, an avoidance. His godly fear was an avoidance, a circumspection, a reverence towards God, a piety, in other words, acting like God.

And then he says, though he was a son, yes, though he was a son, that was not excused for him, he still had to suffer. Yet he learned obedience. What do we mean? Wasn't he obedient always? Of course he was, but he learned obedience by the things which he suffered.

In other words, by what he suffered, he experienced what it is to obey when one is being afflicted and suffering. He learned obedience by his experience, and he therefore was not exempt from suffering, even though he never sinned.

You see, afflictions and sufferings are instructive. And this special obedience that he went through that qualified him to be a high priest, our high priest, and he was willing to stoop down to a still, more humiliating form of obedience. When he did nothing wrong, and he learned that. And therefore, he can sympathize for us. So we are looking at a fear which is more related to respect, reverence, a way of life that is like God, and standing in awe of what God does for us. And that is the deep respect that we need to learn. That fear is not a dread, a terror, or a phobia. If we read in 1 John 4, verse 18. 1 John 4, verse 18. There is no fear in love. There is no phobia. There is no terror in love, in godly love. But perfect love costs out fear, because fear, terror, involves torment. That is a completely different fear than the fear of the Lord that we need to learn. In verse 16 of the same chapter, we see that God is love. And so, to recap, what is the fear of God? The fear of God is not a terror or a fear of penalties, because one has not repented. The fear of God is not a torment, and it's not a phobia. But the fear of God is a deep respect, an admiration, a caution, a respect for God's justice, a respect admiration for God's mercy, and a respect admiration for His faithfulness. In other words, the weighty matters of the Lord. So, it is a respect for His grace and for His wisdom. We'll talk a little bit more about wisdom a little later. So, why does God want you and I to fear Him? Let's go back to Deuteronomy chapter 10. Deuteronomy chapter 10, verse 12 through 13. Deuteronomy chapter 10, verse 12 through 13. And now, Israel, what does the Lord God require of you? What is it that is required but to fear the Lord your God? To fear! But that is respect, admiration, fear His justice, respect and reverence for His justice, for His mercy, and His faithfulness. It was that deep reverence and respect to walk in His ways. Because of that, we want to walk in His ways, and we want to have outgoing concern towards Him because He has love towards us. To serve the Lord your God, to do what He says with all your heart and with all your life strength, your soul, and to keep to obey His laws and His statutes. Why? Why? For your good. Why? For your good.

Why does God want us to fear Him? For our good. That's why. In the Deuteronomy 6, verse 24, just a few pages back, 6, verse 24, He says, And the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God. That was to admire Him, to stand in awe, to reverence, to respect Him, for our good always, that He might preserve as alive as it is this way, that preservation is eternal life. There is another instructive example of when the Israelites feared God, and that is actually related to the day of trumpets and the feast of Tabernacles. And that is in Nehemiah chapter 8. Nehemiah chapter 8.

And we're going to read in verse 1 and 2 just to get the context, because it says, And all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the water gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel. Example to us is, right, let's get together, yeah, and we're going to read and study God's Word, the Bible. And so Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of man and woman, and all who could hear with understanding. In other words, they read it and they made it clear so that people understood God's Word. That's what we do on the Sabbath, brethren. That's what we do on the Holy Days. And it says, this is on the first day of the seventh month, which is on the day of trumpets. And then we read in verse eight, and it says, So they read distinctly from the book. So in our example would be from the Bible, we from the law and the principles and the prophets and the testimony of Jesus Christ and the apostles. So we read that, and they gave the sense. In other words, they explained what it meant and helped them to understand the reading. In other words, it's expository preaching. And that's what I'm doing today. We're looking at these scriptures, and we're exposing the meaning of these scriptures to you and I. And then we read in verse nine and ten, and Nehemiah, who was the governor, is of the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people, said, all the people, this day is holy. Yeah, because it was the day of trumpets. To the Lord your God, do not mourn or weep. Why would they mourn and weep? Because they were showing repentance for what they had done. For all the people wept when they heard the words of the Lord, and they acknowledged they had sinned. And he says, go your way and eat and drink. And then the light just says, for this day is holy to the Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. So yeah, they hear in God's word, they are revering, respecting God. They are learning about God's mercy and kindness. And they are told, rejoice. Rejoice. Because God is merciful. He sympathizes with your weaknesses, provided you're repented. And he says, have that inner joy, that inner joy in the mind, in your heart, which is not understandable by people when they see us suffering, but inside we can have an inner joy. And that is our strength. That is our strength. And so we go on reading in verse 11. Be still for the day is holy, do not be grieved. And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that we declared to them. They rejoiced greatly. The outcome when they understood God's truth was great joy.

And we read, for instance, also in verse 17. And he says, so the whole assembly were turned from the captivity, made booths and sat under the booths, and since the days of Joshua, the son of Nan, until the day of the children of Israel, had not done so, and there was great gladness. And they did that during the whole feast and also on the eighth day. Brethren, they rejoiced because the fear of God is not a torment, is not a phobia, it's a deep respect and admiration for God's justice, his mercy, and his faithfulness. It is a respect for God's grace and God's wisdom. Wisdom. So now let me ask the third question is, how do we learn the fear of God? And let's turn to the very first chapter of Proverbs. Proverbs, chapter 1. And we're going to read from verse 28. Proverbs 1. Then they'll call on me, but I'll not answer. He's talking about the wicked. They'll seek me diligently, and they'll not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord.

The wicked hated this instruction from God, and they chose a choice, a deliberate choice, not to respect, admire, revere God. They chose. They would have none of my counsel. They despised my every rebuke. The wicked despised all the instruction from God. Therefore, therefore, ultimately, maybe not in the short term, and quite often not in the short term, but ultimately, and this is what we are going to keep in mind, ultimately, they shall eat the fruit of their own way. Wherever they plant, they'll reap and be filled to the full with their own fancies. For the turning away of the simple will slay them. In other words, of the ones that are not wise, for them to turn away and not learn the respect and fear of God, that will slay them ultimately. And the complacency of fools will destroy them. They're not wise. And so, choosing is a requirement for us about the fear of God. We have to choose. There's a choice. So, it's a point of making right choices. In other words, it's a point of wisdom. In Proverbs 15 verse 33, Proverbs 15 verse 33, it says, The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility.

How do we learn the fear of God? By listening to God's instructions, God's teaching, we become wiser. And we have to be humble in the process. We have to have humility. And what is wisdom? Well, in the Autronomy chapter 4 verse 5 and 6, the Autronomy chapter 4 verse 5 and 6, it says, It says, Surely I've taught you statutes and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore, be careful to observe them, for this is your wisdom. And your understanding in the sight of the peoples will hear these statutes and say, surely this great nation is a wise and just understanding people, as you and I obey God's laws.

As we choose that, we become wiser. And so, learning the fear of God is a matter of choice. Of applying and doing, by listening to God's teachings, whether it is services, whether it is when we do Bible study, we listen to that.

In James chapter 1 verse 5 and 6, it's an interesting scripture that when I first came to the church, it was one that I continually turned to and asked. In James chapter 1 verse 5 and 6, and this I say because I really do not have any training of life as a child, and I was really completely naive in a number of things. And I recognized that I lacked a lot of wisdom. And it says, if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally, liberally, and without reproach, and will be given to him.

But let him ask in faith, in other words, trusting God with no doubt, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. We need to ask for wisdom, brethren, and we need to trust God that he will give it to us. But there is a choice. We need to recognize in humility that we don't have wisdom and choose to submit to God and obey him as we ask that wisdom from him, and learn as we listen and study and apply over time that wisdom will come along.

In James 4, it talks about the wisdom of God and the wisdom of the world. And it says, who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. This little phrase, meekness of wisdom, is so profound that you should spend time meditating on it. Because true, godly wisdom has meekness in it, has teachability, has humility in it. But you see, the worldly wisdom is envy and strife and is basically earthly, sensual, and demonic.

But the wisdom from God, as we read in verse 17, is first pure. First of all, it's genuine, it's pure. And then, on top of that, it brings peace, gentle, willing to yield, in the words submissive, full of mercy, not bang and shoot and criticize, full of mercy, and good fruits without partiality and without hypocrisy. And that fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Much can be said just in these few verses. Sermons and sermons can be stated just around these few verses. But we need to apply it. We need to apply it. And if we go back to Proverbs chapter 2, and I'm sorry you're doing a bit of exercise today by going back and forwards in the Bible, but that's okay. So, Proverbs chapter 2, starting from verse 1, it says, My son, if you receive the words and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom and apply.

We've got to apply your heart to understanding. Yes, if you cry out for discernment and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver and search for her for wisdom as for Eden treasures, then you'll understand the fear of the Lord. You see, the fear of the Lord with that reverence and respect, it is a matter of wisdom as well. We need to treasure it. We need to cry out for it.

We need to do it. In Hebrews chapter 5 verse 14, it talks about, it says that the meat of the world is that exercising of what we know is the right thing to do and putting it to practice. That is the meat of the world. We've got to apply it. You see, the problem, brethren, is that on top of this, besides us having a carnal mind, there is a Satan.

You know better than I. In Genesis chapter 3, where a Satan, which is cunning, sly, trickery, skillful, deceptive, went to the woman and said, well, you shall not die. You can eat of every fruit of the tree. And you know, when you read there, the first thing you create doubt in her mind. They say, don't trust God because God just doesn't want you to be like God. So you see, Satan, by his deception, by his subtlety, created doubts. It made them feel disadvantaged.

And when before that Adam and Eve could look in the face of God and talk in the garden openly, after that, you know they hid in fear.

Because the deception from Satan created fear, uncertainty, and doubt. He is the God of this world. And he has blinded mankind as a whole. You read that in 2 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 4. Let's turn there. 2 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 4. He says, the minds, you know, of the people that in the world are under the control of the God of this age, and he has blinded them. They do not believe. And because if they did, the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ. Who is the image of God? Would shine on them. The light of the glory of Christ would shine on mankind. You see, we've got to allow God's truth as we study, as we apply it, as we live it, as we become wiser through it. Allow that to change us so that the good news, the light of the glory, may shine on us and reflect from us. You probably remember the story of Moses. When the emperor went up on the mount, and he came down from the mount, and his face shone bright. That's what your example, your life needs to be to others, and how it will be in the world tomorrow when you are spirit beings. The glory of Christ will shine through us, shines on us, and is reflected through us. It is important that we understand what the fear of God is, why it is good for us, and how to learn more of it. You see, because as you have the fear of God, you'll be blessed. Look at Psalm 128. Psalm 128.

Psalm 128, verse 1 and 2. Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.

If you are being ruled by somebody that does not have the fear of God, temporarily it may not appear that way. And then Psalm 22 could actually, in your heart, apply to you. Now, we know it applies to Christ, but let's just look at it from the point of view of applying it to a person that is going through a difficult trial. So Psalm 22. So we're just looking at Psalm 22 from the point of how it feels when you are going through a difficult trial. And you may say, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? You may come to a point that you may say, God, why don't you intervene now? I need help now. Why are you so far from helping me and from the words of my groaning? If you are going through serious trials, you could well say that. Oh, my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not hear. You might feel that way. And in the night season, I am not silent. I know, but you, God, you are holy and thrown in the praises of Israel. Our fathers trust you. They trusted and you delivered them. They cry to you, and we delivered. They trust in you, and we are not ashamed. But I... Now, granted, this applies directly to Christ, but if you are under a difficult situation, you could feel emotionally like this. And you say, but I am a woman. The situation I am is, I don't even feel like I am a human being. I am no man. I am a reproach of man and despised by the people. Maybe in the community around you, you are despised. All those who see me, ridicule me, and they shoot out the lip, and they shake their heads, saying, he or she trusted in God. Let God intervene for him or for her. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him. And then he goes on, and he says, many people are going against me and things like that. But look at verse 21. He says, as concluding this section, he says, save me from this situation where I am just being eaten alive, like in a lion's mouth, and from the horns of the wild oxen. And then the cry is, you have answered me. That takes faith, trust in God, and reverence to God. Because even though currently you may go through serious difficulties and trials, maybe health, maybe whatever, but you know that ultimately God was, you will be able to say, you have answered me. I'll declare your name to my brethren. In the midst of the assembly, I'll praise you. You who fear the Lord, praise him. We who fear God, praise him, and fear him all you've all springed. And then, a little later, in verse 26, the poor, probably a better translation would be, the meek, teachable, shall eat and be satisfied. Those who seek him will praise the Lord. Let your heart live forever. You see, we've got to look beyond today. We've got to look beyond. I'm not saying it's easy.

But you've got to get comfort, also from verse 29. Because in verse 29 says, all the prosperous of the earth, all these people that are wicked and are prospering today in the world, it says, shall eat and worship. All those who go down to the dust shall bow down before him. So, all the prophets of the earth could apply to people that are prosperous, and they will worship him. It could be applied to good and bad. You can read it both ways. Maybe the bad is the ones that were repented. But the point is, it says, all those who go down to the dust, everyone that dies shall bow before him. So, even the wicked will have to bow down before him. Even he who cannot keep himself alive. In other words, even he that is going to go to the lake of fire, every knee will bow down to him. And if they don't bow down, those knees will be broken, but they'll bow down. But they'll bow down. And so, there is a comfort. You see, we need to learn the fear of God. And that's for our good. It might not be now. You might not see everything now. It might be in the long term later. And the fear of God leads to wisdom, godly wisdom, and it leads to us obeying him.

But just like Christ learned by obedience, by what he suffered, in other words, he was not exempt from suffering. And the afflictions were very instructive. We all have to suffer like him. And afflictions and sufferings are instructive to all of us. So, are we growing more in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior? Are we standing and respecting and standing in all of him more and more? Are we learning the fear of God? Because his glory will shine through us as we grow in the grace of God. But the final outcome will be unthinkable joy and happiness eternally in the kingdom of God.