Living in the fear of the Lord...

Happy is the man who is always reverent,

But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.—Proverbs 28:14

Oh, how blessed is the man who fears the Lord always...who stands in awe of Him and trembles.  God is always in his thoughts and he lives with his heavenly father’s glory, greatness and purposes in mind.  He desires to do good because His God is so good.  Like the Psalmist’s, the statutes of the Lord are his songs and his sufficiency is from God.  He lives soberly and is serious and watchful in his prayers.  His love for others is fervent and he delights in the commandments of God. 

The fear of the Lord leads to a life of abiding satisfaction. The world desires to convince us that a life founded on the fear of the Lord leads to unhappiness and misery.  In reality, a life that sets the Lord always before him is a satisfied and protected life.  This man lives in the center of God’s will.  Blessedness and joy are his, both in this life and in the the next. A heart hardened, is a heart set in opposition to God.  This man will find no rest or peace either in this life or in the next. In this life, his lack of rest is God’s steadfast love toward him to draw him.  In the next, it is His judgment for despising His goodness and forbearance toward him.  

Psalm 16 is very appropriate here...

1 A Michtam of David.

Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.

2 O my soul, you have said to the LORD,

“You are my Lord,

My goodness is nothing apart from You.”

3 As for the saints who are on the earth,

“They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”

4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god;

Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer,

Nor take up their names on my lips.

5 O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;

You maintain my lot.

6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;

Yes, I have a good inheritance.

7 I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel;

My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.

8 I have set the LORD always before me;

Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;

My flesh also will rest in hope.

10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,

Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.

11 You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.