Proverbs 23:17-18

DISCOURSE: 804
THE FEAR OF GOD ALL THE DAY

Proverbs 23:17. Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long: for surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

THE men of this world, feeling but little restraint from the voice of conscience or the fear of God, gratify, each in his own way, their natural inclinations; and therefore they appear happy: and the people of God, especially under troubles and persecutions for righteousness sake, are almost ready to look upon them with an eye of envy: and, if this world only were considered, and temporal enjoyments were the proper standard of happiness, perhaps they might on the whole be congratulated as possessing a happy and an enviable lot [Note: Psalms 63:3.]. But the righteous, under whatever disadvantages they may lie, have no just cause to “envy sinners;” seeing that nothing but disappointment awaits the children of this world; whilst the servants of God, who look forward to heavenly bliss, can never be disappointed of their hope. On this assurance the exhortation in my text is founded; and for the fuller elucidation of the subject, I will set before you,

I. The duty inculcated—

“The fear of the Lord” is, especially in the Old Testament, a common expression, comprehending in its import the whole of practical religion. And when we are bidden to live under its influence “all the day long,” we must understand the precept as enjoining us to maintain, throughout the whole course of our lives,

1. A sense of love to God, as our Father—

[Jehovah, as reconciled to us through the Son of his love, stands in the relation of a Father to us; for all, the very instant they believe in Christ, have “the privilege of becoming the Sons of God [Note: John 1:12.].” Till we come to God by Christ, we have no filial fear of him in our hearts. A slavish fear of him we may have; but we neither have, nor can have, “a Spirit of adoption, emboldening us to call him Father:” for “the Holy Spirit can never bear witness with our spirit, that we are the Lord’s [Note: Romans 8:15.],” till we are made his by faith in Christ Jesus [Note: Galatians 3:26.]. But when we are become his children, then we must go in and out before him with holy confidence, exactly as duteous children before a loving parent — — — To walk thus before him was the perfection of Abraham’s attainments [Note: Genesis 17:1.]; and it is that which is held forth to us also as the summit of a Christian’s duty and privilege [Note: Ephesians 5:1.] — — —]

2. A sense of duty to him, as our Master—

[This is united with the former by God himself: “A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if, then, I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear [Note: Malachi 1:6.]” Now, what is the conduct of a good servant? When he rises in the morning, he asks himself, ‘What have I to do for my master? and through every part of the day, even to the close of it, the same question recurs to his mind, and calls forth suitable exertions for the discharge of the duties required of him. And if, when engaged in executing his master’s commands, he were solicited by any one to embark in some other pursuit, he would immediately reply, as our blessed Saviour did, “I must be about my Father’s business:” nor could any consideration tempt him to neglect his duty. He would, under all circumstances, regard his master’s work as claiming a just preference at his hands, and his master’s approbation as that which, above all, he was anxious to obtain. Let it be thus, then, with you in every situation of life; and make it your one business to approve yourselves good servants of Jesus Christ.]

3. A sense of responsibility to him as our Judge—

[Never are you to lose a sense of this. It is quite a mistake to call this legal. St. Paul, and all the Apostles, acted with a direct reference to the future judgment; and sought so to demean themselves that they might welcome the second coming of their Lord, and stand with boldness before him at that awful day [Note: 1 Corinthians 9:26. 2 Corinthians 5:9; James 5:8; 1 Peter 5:1.]. This will secure the obedience of the heart: for in that day shall “the secrets of men’s hearts be disclosed,” and, “their inmost counsels be made manifest:” and, to secure his approbation then, you must be upright, and without any allowed guile. Let every place then bear, as it were, this inscription, “Thou, God, seest me;” and take heed to your thoughts, no less than to your actions, that so you may be found “sincere and without offence until the day of Christ [Note: Philippians 1:10.].”]

And, lest such a constant attention to duty should appear irksome to you, let me shew you,

II.

The encouragement given us to the performance of it—

The whole Scripture declares, that, “verily, there is a reward for the righteous [Note: Psalms 58:11.];” and this, I conceive, is the true import of my text [Note: See the marginal reading, and compare it with ch. 24:14.]. The ungodly expect to find happiness in their ways of sin; but they pursue a phantom, and embrace a shadow. But not so they who fear the Lord: they shall “have a sure reward;” as God hath said, “The hope of the righteous shall be gladness; but the expectation of the wicked shall perish [Note: Proverbs 10:28. with 11:18.].” What, then, my Brethren, do ye expect? Do you expect pardon of sin?

[This shall surely be accorded to you: for “in the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence; and his children shall have a place of refuge [Note: Proverbs 14:26.].” Yes, verily, however numerous your sins may have been, “they shall all be blotted out, even as a morning cloud.” Will God cast out one who comes to him in his Son’s name? Will he spurn from his footstool one humble suppliant? No: “to this man will he look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at his word [Note: Isaiah 66:2.];” and “to him will he give beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness [Note: Psalms 61:1.].”]

Peace of conscience?
[This also shall you possess. Hear what David says: “What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him shall the Lord teach in the way that he shall choose; and his soul shall dwell at ease [Note: Psalms 25:12.].” Peace is the legacy which Jesus has bequeathed to all his redeemed people, saying, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you [Note: John 14:27.].” “To the wicked there is no peace [Note: Isaiah 57:21.]: “but for you is there “a peace that passeth all understanding.”]

Strength for duty?
[Doubtless you may have many difficulties to encounter: but God himself promises that “your strength shall be according to your day.” His very covenant with his people is, “He will put his fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from him [Note: Jeremiah 32:40.].” This is a principle which cannot but operate, and cannot but be effectual for the mortification of all sin, and for the performance of all duty. See its operation in the Apostle Paul. Under trials as severe as man could well be called to endure, he said, “I know that this shall turn to my salvation, through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also, Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death [Note: Philippians 1:19.].” Thus you may encounter all difficulties without fear; and, knowing in whom you have believed, may assure yourselves that no enemy whatever shall be able to prevail against you [Note: Romans 8:35.]

Comfort in death?
[This also is secured to you: “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace [Note: Psalms 37:37.].” I say not that you shall have joy: for there may be in the very nature of your disorder much to prevent that buoyancy of mind which is a necessary attendant on joy: but peace shall assuredly he your portion, if only you trust in God: for God has said, “I will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on me, because he trusteth in me [Note: Isaiah 26:3.].”]

Glory in eternity?
[This also shall be yours. Your expectations cannot be too enlarged, if you walk in the fear of God as you are here enjoined: “I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord; thoughts of good, and not of evil, to give you an expected end [Note: Jeremiah 29:11.].” And in this you differ widely from the sinner, who casts off the fear of God. To persons of this latter description God says, “What fruit had ye then of those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now, being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness and your end everlasting life [Note: Romans 6:21.].”

Tell me now, Brethren, whether ye have not encouragement to fear the Lord? — — — and whether there be any sinner in the universe whose portion can be compared with yours? — — —]

Application—

[As for you who fear not God, whatever ye may possess of this world, or whatever gratifications ye may enjoy, ye have a miserable portion indeed: and though ye abounded with every thing, like the Rich Man in the Gospel, yet were a pious Lazarus, that was destitute of all things, or even a martyr at the stake, in a preferable state to yours: and well may ye envy the poorest, the meanest saint on earth. Where will ye look for pardon, for peace, for strength, for comfort in a dying hour, and for glory in eternity? Think ye of your misery ere it be too late; and beg of God to implant in your hearts that fear of his name, which is the certain and the only prelude to his final approbation.]