My guess is the words “fear” and “happy” usually are not in the same sentence or at least not relating to each other unless in a negative way. And yet as we continue our series in the Happiness in Proverbs I am led to a verse that not only has the two words in the same sentence but also puts quite the positive relation between them. Presenting an idea that is so counter-cultural and counter-flesh that the Spirit within us leaps for joy at the reading of it. To read the previous parts of the series: 1, 2, & 3.
Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
Proverbs 28:14
Happiness in Fear
It’s even more odd sounding the way the ESV puts it: “How blessed is the man who is always in dread” Happy when I am in dread? Happy when I am afraid? How does that work? If you have been in your Bible for a while you have certainly seen the phrase: “the Fear of the LORD”. It’s actually essential in your understanding of scripture and is required to even start your quest towards wisdom (Prov 9:10). It is, of course, this “Fear of the LORD” that is referenced here in our scripture.
The point is not simply that you have an emotion of fear but rather the ‘what’, or more importantly, the ‘who’ you are in fear of. You will not be happy if you are in fear of the Devil. You will not be happy if you are in fear of losing your life. But you most certainly will be happy if the only One you fear is our God. This is where the happiness of fear is found. When you begin to order your life around the reverent awe and holy respect of God our Father, only then will you begin to see the happiness that God has put everywhere in this life. The amazing thing about this is how constant it can be. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8) and therefore can be feared at all times. Therefore in the midst of trial, hardship, pain, and turmoil happiness can still be felt and grasped in relation to our fear of the LORD.
Christ our Fear
Similar to the last post we do not fear a “big guy in the sky”. We do not fear a distant God who only occasionally checks up on us. We fear an intimate, personal, loving God realized in the man: Jesus Christ. As you look to Him you can begin to develop a love, respect, and holy adoration for all that He is. As you do so you will then begin to develop a sweep of happiness around your life in the midst of any circumstance.
I believe Christians should be the happiest people on earth. There is no reason that anyone should be happier than us. We are God’s chosen children (1 John 3:1), died for by Christ Himself (Eph 1:7), and interceded for on a daily basis by His own life (Rom 8:34) Yet I am starting to realize that the overall lack of happiness in the average Christian today is linked, partly, to our lack of fear of our Christ. Even if we were not promised happiness He is still “worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power” (Rev 4:11). And yet, in His infinite love, He promises us great happiness now if we will humble ourselves and fear Him as we ought.
Action
- Praise God for simply who He is and spend time adoring Him.
- Confess to God your lack of fear and reverent awe of Him.
- Ask God to show you His glory in such a way that begets fear of Him in your life.
- Listen to this post’s song: Awesome God