The Good Fear

Because our hearts can drift, we need to make sure we remain focused on the things of God. As we look at Psalm 25:12-14, we will discover that in these three short verses is maybe the most powerful language in Scripture for how to maintain a godly focus: fear. This is not a bad fear but a good fear.

This is a psalm of David, a man after God’s own heart. There is a greater compliment than that. But David was guilty of many sins, including adultery, deception, pride, murder. So, how is this possible?

David wasn’t a perfect man, but rather he was a man who had such respect and love and reverence for God. When he did sin, it grieved him. He turned from that sin and repented of it so that he could be right with God again. It was David’s greatest desire to do God’s will and to give God glory.

Being a person after God’s own heart is not out of reach for people like us. It is something we should desire to be. But it is only possible if we have an attitude like David. So, what does it mean to “fear the Lord”?