Reverential Fear Pleases God
The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
Psalm 147:11
The Lord is pleased with those who fear Him. The fear of the Lord is a reverential awe, respect, and esteem of God. God is pleased with those who honor and esteem Him. He was constantly delighted and pleased with Jesus. Jesus walked in the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2). His reverence for God the Father was so great, the religious folks were jealous, but the humble were drawn into it. And God was continually delighted in Him.
There is a growing lack of reverential fear of God in the world. More and more people do not respect the things of God. They don’t respect the men and women of God. There was a time people would not say or do things in front of a minister out of respect for God. Fewer people have this kind of Godly fear. Unfortunately, the Church is falling short of the fear of the Lord. The unfortunate ones are those who refuse to fear God, because God takes pleasure in those that fear Him and hope or patiently wait for His mercy.
This psalm was probably written by David. He feared God. His life and his many psalms undoubtedly show the fear of the Lord. He honored God. He delighted in His Law. He delighted in the ways of God. He had an awesome (including an element of dread) fear of the Lord.
Many know of David’s adultery with Bathsheba. He tried to hide the fact after she became pregnant. In his deceit, he had her husband killed, then brought her into his house. The Lord sent the Prophet Nathan and declared judgment on David’s house.
David did not deny the sin. He didn’t try to justify or defend himself. He acknowledged his sin. As part of the judgment, the baby would die. When the baby became ill, David sought and worshiped the Lord, but the baby died, according to the word of the Lord. David didn’t get angry with God. He maintained His reverence for the Lord.
God takes pleasure in those who fear Him. Did the Lord take pleasure in this man who committed adultery and murder? Unquestionably! He didn’t take pleasure in the sin. He took pleasure in the servant who repented and turned from sin to walk right before God.
David is more noted for having a perfect heart before the Lord than for his sin, which the Lord took away. Succeeding kings were measured by David’s fear of God. Either they walked as David to some degree or they didn’t. David walked perfectly before the Lord, except with Uriah and Bathsheba (1 Kings 15:5). He walked in the fear of the Lord.
Did God take pleasure in him? Absolutely! He made an everlasting covenant and promise to him. He promised to establish his kingdom forever. David did his part, and we know God is faithful to His. We see part of its fulfillment in the Jesus Lord Christ.