{"id":2046,"date":"2019-03-29T08:09:53","date_gmt":"2019-03-29T13:09:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.desiringgodchurch.org\/web\/?p=2046"},"modified":"2019-03-29T08:09:53","modified_gmt":"2019-03-29T13:09:53","slug":"delight-to-fear-his-name","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.desiringgodchurch.org\/web\/2019\/03\/29\/delight-to-fear-his-name\/","title":{"rendered":"Delight to Fear His Name"},"content":{"rendered":"

[This devotion is taken primarily from the third and concluding sections of the March 24 sermon. The first section of the sermon cites a number of passages in which joy in God and fear of Him are both commanded. The second examines wrong <\/em>ways for us to fear God. The audio of the sermon will be available shortly at this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What does Nehemiah mean when he says God\u2019s servants \u201cdelight to fear Your name\u201d (Nehemiah 1:11)? How are God\u2019s people rightly to fear Him and to delight in Him?<\/p>\n

Three passages are particularly helpful in resolving this paradox: Isaiah 40, Mark 4, and Isaiah 11.<\/p>\n

Isaiah 40<\/strong><\/p>\n

While the entire chapter is relevant, consider especially Isaiah 40:21-26:<\/p>\n

Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? 22<\/sup> It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; 23<\/sup> who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness. 24<\/sup> Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble. 25<\/sup> To whom then will you compare me<\/u>, that I should be like him<\/u>? says the Holy One. 26<\/sup> Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name<\/u>, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing. (emphasis added)<\/p>\n

Isaiah says: Look at Who God is! It\u2019s been clear from the beginning! He plays with planets and stars, supernovas and black holes, the way our little ones play with blocks. He knows every star and puts it exactly where He wants it. He places Mt Everest on a scale and says, \u201cLooks like I need to add another three ounces to make this mountain the right weight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Consider the human beings who seem the most powerful, the most influential, as discussed in verses 23-24 \u2013 those who command armies, who influence our thinking, who lead movements, who govern countries. No matter how exalted their positions, no matter how imposing they may appear, God blows \u2013 Puff! \u2013 and they are gone, like the flame of a birthday candle. They are nothing <\/em>\u2013 we <\/em>are nothing \u2013 in comparison to God. He has no rivals. There is no one who approaches His importance, no one who rivals His power.<\/p>\n

So Isaiah is telling us: Look! Open your eyes! <\/em>\u00a0See Who He is! He is almighty. He is your God <\/em>if you are among His people. So humble yourself before Him!<\/p>\n

Mark 4:35-41 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Jesus is in a boat with His disciples, crossing the Sea of Galilee. A great windstorm arises, far more dangerous than any these experienced fishermen have encountered previously. As waves burst over the sides, the disciples are bailing frantically, fearing for their lives.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Jesus is asleep in the back of the boat.<\/p>\n

They shake Him, crying out, \u201cDon\u2019t you care? Do something! At least help us bail!\u201d<\/p>\n

Jesus simply cries out, \u201cPeace! Be still!\u201d And the wind stops. The waves cease. There is a great calm.<\/p>\n

How do the disciples react?<\/p>\n

They were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:41)<\/p>\n

Do you see? Mark here presents the same idea as Isaiah 40. When the disciples looked at the wind and the waves and feared for their lives, they had a wrong fear \u2013 a fear of circumstances. Jesus is with them! He is in control! What evil could happen?<\/p>\n

But the fear they experience after seeing Jesus\u2019 power and authority is a right and proper fear. They are in awe of His power \u2013 but they know that power is with them, not against them. They can delight to have that type of fear.<\/p>\n

Isaiah 11:3 and John 4:34<\/strong><\/p>\n

Prophesying about the coming Messiah, Isaiah tells us His \u201cdelight shall be in the fear of the Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, if we are united with Christ, we should become like Him; we are to take on His character. Our fear of God, therefore, as well as our delight, should be like His.<\/p>\n

What did Jesus\u2019 fear look like? John 4:34 helps us here. Remember the context. Jesus\u2019 disciples have brought Him food to eat, but He doesn\u2019t want any. They wonder \u2013 did someone else bring Him food? He says: \u201cMy food is to do the will of Him who sent me, and to accomplish His work\u201d (John 4:34).<\/p>\n

Jesus\u2019 sustenance, Jesus\u2019 joy, Jesus\u2019 delight is to do the Father\u2019s will. He knows that the Father\u2019s will is perfect. He knows that the Father knows all, sees all, controls all. He knows no one can give the Father counsel, or correct His plans. He knows to follow Him will bring about the best outcome. So He humbles Himself before the will of His Father. He delights to do His will. He delights to obey Him in everything. He delights to fear His Name.<\/p>\n

So you see: Fearing God is closely related to humbling ourselves before Him. This results from beholding our God (Isaiah 40:9) \u2013 that is, clearly understanding Who He is. Such fear, such humility, is the starting point for delight. We have to see His power and majesty, and our own inability and unworthiness, in order to delight in Him. If we are impressed with our own accomplishments and abilities, there is no place for fear or delight in Him. We must rejoice:<\/p>\n