“Blessed is the man that fears always: but he that hardens his heart shall fall into evil.” Proverbs 28:14
Devotional Thought For The Day
Men wiser than I have viewed this verse in different ways. The chief issue is how to understand the word “fear.” More of the commentators understand the author to be writing about the “fear of the LORD,” the awe, reverence, and respect that a child of God has toward the LORD in view of His tender mercies, forgiveness, and gracious love [see Psalm 130:4]. This certainly fits better with the description of being “blessed,” for the one who has such fear and love of God has forgiveness, eternal life and salvation, and the powerful renewing love of God at work in his heart and soul. This is the blessedness desired by God for every person [1 Tim. 2:4], and the chief complaint of the prophets and apostles is against unbelief, hardening of heart against God’s gracious mercy and love, so that one remains under slavery to evil and resentful rebellion against God.
Other commentators understand the author to be writing about fearing to do evil, that is, fear of the consequences of doing evil. The “blessedness” of this is that one stays out of jail and keeps out of trouble. However, this alone is a rather superficial condition of heart and soul, one which even the unregenerate can have. And such a “fear” ultimately leads to despair in view of our transgressions, or drives a person to self-justifying delusion, for “there is not a just man upon the earth that doeth good and sinneth not.” [Eccl. 7:20] Likewise, such “fear” is not pleasant; even God’s Word assures us that His perfect love casts out all such fear [1 John 4:18], for “God is love” and all who truly know Him rest assured and confident in His love. But if it is this simplistic fearfulness that is referred to, then the one hardening His heart no longer fears the consequences of evil and falls into a degenerate life of crime and wickedness.
Our consideration of this verse does not need to rule out either of these emphases. After all, in that Christians still battle our sinful nature, a good fear of punishment is sometimes necessary to keep our desires in check. And Christians must take care not to allow our sinful nature to turn the gracious mercy of God into license – which results in loss of faith and hardness of heart. However, to omit understanding the greater purpose and will of God, that we repent of our sin and cling to His gracious mercy and love so that we may be justified by God through faith and have eternal life and salvation, not only to be relieved but also renewed in faith and love, neglects the Scriptural context of this verse and the greater blessedness God wills for us and all people. So it seems deeper and preferable to place greater emphasis on the blessings of knowing God’s gracious mercy and forgiveness, which also keeps us from hardening our heart and capitulating to evil.
The encouragement is to keep this fear “always,” to constantly have the gracious mercy and love of God in our hearts and minds, so that we are weaned away from the works of darkness and our hearts are healed by His love. This brings a myriad of blessings into our lives, blessings that remain forever, indeed, blessings that increase exponentially forever! Such a person walks humbly with God, is daily softened and warmed to love as he has been loved by God, so that his life is filled with the fruits of righteousness and evil is despised and resisted. In that there will always be abundant reasons for repentance and confession, such a person is constantly growing in appreciation for God’s merciful love, and growing in love for God. This is the rich, deep, and complete blessedness that God’s Word creates in the hearts and minds of the faithful – making the tree good. It is the work of God [John 6:29; Phil. 2:13], and the greatest blessedness!
Scripture Cited
Psalm 130:4 “But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared.”
1 Tim. 2:4 “God wills all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
John 6:29 “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him Whom He has sent.”
Phil. 2:13 “It is God Who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, You alone enable us to properly fear God – with the mercy, forgiveness, cleansing, and eternal life that Your precious blood has obtained for us in Your suffering and death on the cross. Help us in our meditation on Your Word and draw us ever closer to You. Keep us mindful always of Your love that our hearts grow softer and more pliant to Your instruction and blessed will. Keep us from all evil, especially that of hardness of heart. Amen.