Psalm 34 part 2 - The fear of the Lord

Christians have various ideas on what they think the "Fear of the Lord" means. One place from which we can gain understanding on this topic is from Psalm 34. And verse 11 clearly states that we are about to be taught the fear of the Lord. My devotion is not a comprehensive teaching on the subject. It is just meant to share some additional thoughts so you can reach a better understanding of this topic.

I want to share just one facet of the "Fear of the Lord" with you today. It is the principal that God is actively involved in a "Deed / Consequence Connection" concerning the way we live before Him. And in referring to this deed/consequence connection I mean for good or for bad. If love is practiced then God will cause blessing to come to us. If evil is practiced then there will be a reaping of negative consequences.  Lets look at the verses to support that thought.

First lets look at the positive side of the deed/consequence principal. In verses 9 and 10 we see that those that fear and seek the Lord won't lack any good thing. Verses 12-15 directly connects length of days, seeing good and God answering prayer with proper speech, doing good, and seeking peace. Verse 22 also makes it clear that those who serve the Lord will not be condemned.

Second lets look at the negative side of the deed/consequence principal. Verse 16 shows God is against evildoers and will cut off the memory of them from the earth. Verse 21 shows severe and permanent consequences for those who practice evil. It will slay them and they will be condemned.

Verse 11 told us that we are about to learn about the "Fear of the Lord". And then in the verses that followed we see various references to God repaying us for our deeds whether they be good or evil. So we can be sure that one facet of the fearing God is knowing that He is actively involved is causing us to reap whatever we have sown. Since we will reap either good or evil base on our actions let us therefore "Fear the Lord",  and turn from evil. Let us do good and look expectantly for God to bless us in return.

⁹ O fear the LORD, you His saints;
For to those who fear Him there is no want.
¹⁰ The young lions do lack and suffer hunger;
But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing.
¹¹ Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
¹² Who is the man who desires life
And loves length of days that he may see good?
¹³ Keep your tongue from evil
And your lips from speaking deceit.
¹⁴ Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.

 ¹⁵ The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous
And His ears are open to their cry.
¹⁶ The face of the LORD is against evildoers,
To cut off the memory of them from the earth.
¹⁷ The righteous cry, and the LORD hears
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
¹⁸ The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

 ¹⁹ Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
²⁰ He keeps all his bones,
Not one of them is broken.
²¹ Evil shall slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
²² The LORD redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.

Scripture quotations taken from the "NASB" (www.lockman.org)