Sept 25, 2016 (Proverbs 14:27)

“The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death” (Prov 14:27).  As a continuation of last week’s proverb, this present proverb gives an extremely important and wholesome reason for having a reverent fear of the LORD. It turns a man away from the snares of death by recognizing that sin has serious consequences not only in this life but eternally. As the author of Hebrews wrote, “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb 10:31). This is in perfect harmony with the words of the psalmist: “You alone are to be feared; who can stand before You when You are angry?” (Psalm 76:7). We find an excellent illustration when God brought the commandments at Mount Sinai. “When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear” (Exod 20:18). And so it was Moses said to the people, “God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning” (20:20). As discussed last week, the fear of the LORD is not only a decision of our will. It needs to be received as a gift of God imparted to us by the office of the Holy Spirit and never rejected. For Christ Himself who tells us, “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after the killing of the body has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him” (Luke 12:4,5). So it is the fear of the LORD is a fountain of life for those who choose to allow it be.