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GOD GREATLY TO BE FEARED
THERE is not only a generally prevailing notion that God is merciful, but the consideration of his mercy is with many a ground and reason for dismissing from their minds all fear of his displeasure. But it is not in this partial view that the Deity is represented in the Scriptures of truth: on the contrary, the whole sacred records bear witness to him as a God who is greatly to be feared. On many occasions has his indignation against sin and sinners been most awfully displayed; as when, in one single night, he slew one hundred and eighty-five thousand of the Assyrian army, who had besieged Jerusalem and defied his power. It was probably on that occasion that the psalm before us was written: and in reference to it was this testimony given, “Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight, when thou art angry?” To establish and confirm this sentiment, is my purpose at this time.
I. To establish it—
But where shall I begin? or where shall I end? Of course, it is but a very partial view of this subject that can be presented in one discourse. Let us, however, notice,
1. What God is in himself—
[If we contemplate his natural perfections, we shall see this truth in very striking colours. He is omnipresent, so that we can never escape from him for a single moment. He is omniscient, so that there is not so much as a thought of our hearts which can be hidden from him. He is omnipotent also, to deal with men according to their deserts. His moral perfections, too, are well calculated to impress our minds with awe. So holy is he, that “he cannot behold iniquity” of any kind without the utmost abhorrence; and so just, that he cannot but enforce on men the observance of his laws, and execute his judgments upon them for every act of disobedience: and so unalterable is his truth, that sooner should heaven and earth pass away than one jot or tittle of his word should fail. Say, then, whether such a God be not greatly to be feared.]
2. What he has recorded respecting his dealings with mankind—
[Behold Adam in Paradise: he violated the command which had been given him respecting the forbidden tree: and how was he dealt with? The curse of God came upon him instantly; and he was driven from Paradise, and with all his posterity subjected to misery both in this world and the world to come. See the whole race of mankind after they had multiplied and filled the earth: they had provoked God to anger by their abominations: and he swept them all, with every living creature, from the face of the earth, a remnant only in the ark excepted, by an universal deluge. Trace the Deity at subsequent periods; his judgments upon Sodom and all the cities of the plain; his wonders in Egypt; his judgments on all his own chosen people in the wilderness; his extirpation of all the nations that inhabited the land of Canaan: in a word, see his dealings either with nations or individuals, and you must come speedily to this same conclusion, that he is a God very greatly to be feared.]
3. What he has taught us to expect at his hands—
[He has told us plainly, that “the wicked shall be turned into hell, even all the nations that forget God [Note: Psa_9:17.].” He has said, that “he will rain upon them snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest; and that this shall be their portion to drink [Note: Psa_11:6. See also Rev_14:9-11.].” And what is the feeling which such declarations should inspire? Even in heaven itself they connect with these views the fear of God; saying, “Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints! Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name [Note: Rev_15:3-4.]?”]
Plain and undeniable as this sentiment is, I will nevertheless proceed,
II. To confirm it—
Here is an appeal to every child of man; “Who shall stand before God, when once he is angry?”
Indeed, God is angry with those who are disobedient to his laws—
[Of course, we are not to conceive of God as under the influence of such a feeling as we call anger: but he will surely act, in reference to sinners, as men do against those who have excited their displeasure; and this we call a manifestation of his anger. To this effect the Psalmist speaks: “God is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not, he will whet his sword: he hath bent his bow, and made it ready: he hath also prepared for him the instruments of death [Note: Psa_7:11-13.].”]
And who may stand in his sight, when once his anger is excited?
[Not even the angels in heaven could abide his wrath, when once they had kindled his indignation against them: how much less, then, can man, who is crushed before the moth [Note: 2Pe_2:4.]! Shall it be thought that any man is so holy, as not to deserve God’s anger? Vain imagination! fatal conceit! “There is no man that liveth and sinneth not.” “In many things we all offend [Note: Jam_3:2.]:” and “if any man say he hath not sinned, he maketh God a liar [Note: 1Jn_1:10.].” Even Job himself says, “If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse [Note: Job_9:20.].” But possibly it may be thought that God will never proceed to extremities with all the human race; and that, consequently, if we are as good as the generality, we have nothing to fear. This, however, is a fatal delusion: for already is death inflicted upon all as the wages of sin; and on all who die in impenitence and unbelief will his ulterior judgments fall, even the destruction of body and soul in hell.”]
Application—
1. Let the ungodly, then, seek reconciliation with God—
[Indeed, indeed, ye have angered the Most High God, all ye who have lived to yourselves and not to him. But is there no way of reconciliation with him? Yes, blessed be his name! he has given his only dear Son to bear your sins in his own body on the tree, and to effect reconciliation for you through the blood of his Cross. Yes, and he has given to us the ministry of reconciliation, and commissioned us to proclaim, that “God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.” Happy are we, Brethren, to announce, that, however ye may have angered God in past times, ye may yet find mercy with him through the Son of his love. In the name of Christ himself, then, we address you; and in his stead we beseech you all, “Be ye reconciled to God [Note: 2Co_5:18-20.].”]
2. Let the godly forbear to anger him any more—
[Though God will be merciful to his repentant people, he will not spare any who shall live in sin. No: he commandeth “every one that nameth the name of Christ to depart from iniquity.” And so far will he be from overlooking sin in his professing people, that he has declared, “His judgments shall begin with them [Note: 1Pe_4:17.]:” “You only have I known of all the families of the earth, therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities [Note: Amo_3:2.].” Presume not, then, upon your being in his favour, as though that would preserve you from his judgments: for I tell you, that of all who came out of Egypt, two only were suffered to enter into the land of Canaan: and the only evidence of real friendship with God, is the keeping of God’s commandments, and the doing unreservedly whatsoever is pleasing in his sight [Note: Joh_15:14.].”]