SERMON. II. What the True Sanctified Fear of God and His Word is.
Therefore, I want to address the most ignorant among you and guide you on how to distinguish the Word of God from other teachings.
Firstly, if you desire to know, approach with a heart willing to submit to what you come to understand. As stated in John 7:17, "If anyone chooses to do God's will, they will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own." If you have a heart surrendered to God, willing to obey, you will discern whether the doctrine being presented is from God or merely human. There is a promise—make use of it.
Secondly, plead this promise before the Lord. Find a solitary place, cry out to God, and implore Him to reveal the truth to you. Go and pray, saying, "Lord, I have heard certain things spoken, and it seems they are touching my heart, but I am feeble and ignorant. If it is Your
Word, Lord, make it resonate in my heart."
Another rule to follow is this: if you are able to read, search the Scriptures. Seek out your neighbours and approach the ministers, striving to understand the reasons behind the teachings given to you.
This applies even to the most ignorant individuals. They have no excuse unless they come with hearts surrendered to God and make use of every possible means to comprehend the Word of God. And when you attend sermons to hear the Word, endeavour to maintain a constant state of trembling in your hearts. The Word that you currently tremble at will, from that moment onwards, bring comfort to your heart.
SERMON. II.
What the True Sanctified Fear of God and His Word is.
—And that trembleth at my Word. -Isaiah. 66.2.
I will not repeat anything, but rather reflect on other aspects of this significant and weighty matter that concerns us so closely.
The heart that trembles at God's Word is regarded with fondness by God; it is very pleasing in His sight.
But you may argue, "Even the devils believe and tremble" (James 2:19). In this regard, they surpass many miserable and audacious sinners, whom we will discuss in the application later. We also read about Felix, who was an infamous wicked man, trembling at the Word (Acts 24:25). As Paul reasoned about righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled. Felix, a judge sitting on the bench, and Paul, a lowly prisoner at the bar. Yet, through his preaching on righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Paul made the judge tremble on his seat. This demonstrates the power of the Word. It is worth noting that in the preceding verse, it is mentioned that Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. It is curious why his wife is specifically mentioned here.
Interpreters refer to the Jewish story of that time, which tells us that Drusilla, Felix's wife, was previously married to another man.
Because Felix was a man of great honour, she left her previous husband and even her religion to marry him. So now, the text says,
"As he reasoned of righteousness," targeting Felix, a corrupt judge, "and temperance," addressing his immorality as a womanizer,
"Drusilla, who was present, was a vile, wicked, unclean woman."
Therefore, he spoke of temperance and discussed things that would strike closest to their consciences. And he also spoke of judgment to come, reminding the judge and his Delilah that both of them would one day stand before the Almighty God to give an account. Felix would answer for his injustice, and both he and Drusilla would answer for the filthiness in which they lived. This illustrates the Apostle's boldness. Although he was a prisoner, he spoke words that
would deeply affect those he addressed, knowing full well that he would provoke them both.
It is said that Felix trembled, but we do not read the same of his wife.
In fact, if women give themselves to impurity, they become even more hardened. Felix, though a wicked and ungodly man, was compelled to tremble at Paul's preaching. Now, you may argue, "If even the devils tremble, and Felix can tremble, how does it prove that a heart that trembles at God's Word is so pleasing to God?" A poor trembling heart may say, "I'm afraid that my trembling and fear are only in response to the threat of God's Word. I hear about the coming judgment, and I tremble, but what does that amount to? It's nothing."
Answer: Regarding that, I respond: Nothing, yet that's something.
Firstly, it is a sign that the Word has exerted more power over your hearts than before.
Secondly, it is something. It involves placing fear upon the right object, and that's significant. Even if there isn't a gracious principle to fully act upon that object as it should, setting fear upon the right object is still meaningful.
Yes, thirdly, trembling in this manner is somewhat significant. It can prevent a great deal of evil and keep you free from many temptations. Even the trembling of your heart can strengthen you against temptations.
Fourthly, it is even more significant because it may serve as preparation for additional good that God intends for you.
Objection: But you might argue that this could be the extent of it, and nothing more.
Answer: Yes, but first, understand that no one who has grace can be without this to some extent. Although some who have this trembling may lack grace, no one who possesses grace can be without it.
Objection: You might say, "Yes, it is possible for some to be brought to Christ without experiencing trembling."
Answer: To that, I respond, when a soul is brought to Christ, why does it embrace Him? Why does it believe in Him and rely upon Him? Is it not to reconcile the dreadful separation between God and the soul through Christ the Mediator? And can the soul be aware of this and not tremble? Certainly, it cannot help but tremble.
Therefore, although it may be absent where there is no grace, where there is grace, this trembling exists.
Secondly, understand that this disposition of the heart (and even to this extent you have reached) is what God uses to work in those whom He intends to bring good to in the end.
Objection: But you may argue that some may have this trembling and yet not be saved. They may perish in the end, even though they have a degree of fear when faced with the threats in God's Word.
Answer: To that, I reply, it is true that there may be trembling in response to the threats in the Word of God, and yet the soul may fail to find salvation. Not only may it lack saving grace in the present, but it may never attain it at all. However, know that there is a significant difference between the trembling that God brings to a positive outcome and the trembling that ultimately leads to nothing.
I will demonstrate this distinction and then proceed to explain what true, sanctified trembling at God's Word entails.
But first, let's consider even the trembling at God's threats. There is a significant difference when you put together these four or five aspects that I am currently discussing. You will see a clear distinction between the fear that leads to nothing and the fear that God ultimately brings to something. Those who possess these five characteristics, when combined, exhibit a trembling that, I believe, has never failed to yield positive outcomes.
Firstly, when the trembling (although initially triggered by the threats in God's Word, it surpasses all other fears), I mean in terms of its intensity. Two factors contribute to the intensity of fear in the heart:
First, the magnitude of the evil.
Secondly, the difficulty of overcoming that evil.
If the evil is trivial, the heart disregards it. Even if the evil is great, if it can be easily avoided, the human heart tends to dismiss it.
However, when these two factors are combined—an immense evil that is exceedingly challenging to avoid—the heart experiences fear.
Now, the soul that is brought to trembling comprehends the breach between God and itself, recognizing the profound evil of sin as revealed in the Word, the greatest evil of all. It develops a new perception of the difficulty involved in reconciling with God. The Word reveals that establishing peace with God is an infinitely arduous task, and based on this understanding, the soul trembles with a fear that surpasses all other fears and trembling.
Secondly, (because we must not consider any of these signs in isolation) it is consumed by great fear to the extent that it justifies
God. And here lies a significant distinction indeed, for if you only consider the magnitude of fear on its own, it may exist in some who may perish. But when you add to it the other aspect—that in this profound fear, when the soul trembles at what the Lord has revealed in His Word—the soul justifies God and His Word entirely. Despite the Word speaking dreadful things against me, the Word of God is just, and God is righteous in His Word. The soul humbles itself and justifies God in all the severity that He unveils in His Word against the sins of which the soul is conscious. When the heart reaches this point, it truly enters a hopeful condition. There are many who are compelled to tremble, but they resent God and complain about the justice of God and His Word. However, when the Lord strikes the
heart with fear and causes the soul to justify Him and His Word, then the soul is truly on the right path.
Thirdly, this heart not only fears the threats of God's wrath but also fears the evil of departing from God and losing His presence—the loss of communion with God, being forever cast out from the Lord, never to behold His face or experience His goodness. This is revealed in the Word, and the soul trembles at it just as it does at the concept of Hell. Many carnal hearts may tremble upon hearing about the threats of Hell and eternal fire, but for the heart to tremble at the thought of God departing from it and being rejected by the Holy and Blessed God—oh, that is a very positive sign when the heart trembles at this.
Fourthly, the heart trembles at the Word of God to such an extent that nothing can calm it, nothing can satisfy it except Reconciliation with God. When the heart is struck with this fear and trembling, nothing can satisfy it except being reconciled with God Himself.
Whatever God may propose to it, it can never find contentment.
Some may tremble at God's Word in times of sickness, but if they regain their health, they are at peace. They tremble in afflictions, but in prosperity, they are calm. However, the heart that is struck with the fear that God intends to bring it to good will never find peace in anything other than reconciliation with God.
Fifthly, this fear is not one that drives the heart away from God or causes it to resort to worldly solutions, nor does it lead to despair and fleeing from God. Instead, it is a fear that brings the heart to God, compelling it powerfully towards Him. The fear and trembling that result in despair or prevent one from entering God's presence are experienced by some reprobates, but the fear that drives the heart to God— the greater the fear, the more forcefully it propels the heart towards God—this is a good sign that this fear and trembling is genuine. So, when you consider these five aspects together—the fact that your fear is the greatest fear that overshadows all other fears, that you justify God in this fear, that you fear departing from God as
well as His wrath, that nothing can calm you except reconciliation, and that this fear does not push you away from God but draws you towards Him—I must say, where can an example be found of any soul that has failed in this situation? I won't claim that this very thing is saving grace, but I will say that in the Scriptures, whenever this work has been present, the Lord has taken the soul further. However, we have yet to explain what the trembling is that is presently acceptable in the sight of God, what the true sanctified trembling at the Word of God is, which only a gracious heart possesses.
To that, I shall answer with these points. It is indeed essential for our spiritual growth to understand the true sanctified work of fear in the heart, when the soul fears God and His Word.
What the true sanctified fear of God and His Word is:
First, it is an active fear in the soul. Please pay attention to this. By that, I mean that it is not a fear that is forced or imposed upon the heart. The Lord goes beyond that. The soul has an inner principle that drives this fear. What I mean is this: the Lord has enabled my heart to perceive something in His Word that makes me tremble, and I am grateful for it. I am glad that I am aware of the Word, that it has been revealed to me, and that it has evoked such a response in me.
The heart now acts upon this fear and regards it as a mercy that the Word, which causes fear and trembling, has been revealed. It does not view it as an evil or a misery, as many people do when they hear the Word that makes their hearts tremble. They see it as a plague, and they may even express resentment towards the Word and the ministers who proclaim it, just as those possessed once cried out to Christ, "Have you come to torment us before the appointed time?"
They make every effort to push away the thoughts that may evoke this fear in their hearts. They believe that if they can rid their conscience of the Word that the Lord has impressed upon them through His ministry, then they will be safe. However, they become vexed and agitated because they cannot sleep peacefully since
hearing such a message. They cannot eat, drink, or go about their daily tasks calmly. They consider it a form of bondage and misery that their hearts are so sensitive to the Word of God. However, it is different for a gracious heart. The Lord causes fear and trembling in a gracious heart, and this heart blesses God for making it sensitive to His Word. It regards it as a favour from God and strives to maintain this fear and trembling within. It gathers whatever arguments it can to cultivate this fear in the heart. "Unite my heart to the fear of Your name" - you know it is the prayer of David and the Church. "Lord, you have begun to make me aware of the authority and majesty of Your Word. I am afraid that I will lose this fear. Lord, unite my heart to the fear of Your name. Lord, instil this fear in my heart." Just as it was said of Daniel (a passage I previously referred to on a different occasion), "My thoughts greatly troubled me, and my countenance changed, but I kept the matter in my heart." Yes, this was a sign of a gracious heart in that situation. Although the circumstances may differ from what we are currently discussing, it can still be applicable to us. How few people in this congregation (or any congregation, for that matter) act in this way? You may come to hear what is preached, and you cannot deny the truth of those things. They may be spoken in a convincing manner, causing your thoughts to trouble you and your countenance to change. Do you keep these matters in your heart? No, rather, your endeavour is to push them out of your heart.
I recall hearing once about a very carnal and wretched man who, by chance, heard a sermon that strongly affected him. He confessed, "I couldn't get the word out of my conscience for an entire week after that man spoke." However, a gracious heart retains it in their conscience. This is true trembling when the heart is active. It is not a forced work, but the soul embraces these truths.
Secondly, as the soul is active in it, it is also made active by it. There is much significance in this. When fear strikes a hypocrite upon hearing the Word, they are often overcome by that fear. If they do not despair, they are still discouraged and disheartened, lacking the motivation to do anything. However, the fear of the godly is different.
It enlarges their souls towards God and activates their hearts for
Him. It enables them to be ready for their duties and does not render them unfit, as the fear of the hypocrite does. We have a remarkable passage in Ezra 9:3 as evidence. "And when I heard this, I tore my garment and my robe, pulled hair from my head and beard, and sat down appalled." Observe how deeply troubled the righteous man was when he witnessed the disobedience to the Word of the Lord. He was astonished and greatly distressed. Then in verse 5, "And at the evening sacrifice I rose from my fasting, with my garment and my robe torn, and fell upon my knees and spread out my hands to the Lord my God." He proceeded to offer a gracious prayer. From this, we learn a valuable lesson: Souls that are struck with the fear of God and His Word in a godly manner are not hindered in their duties; instead, they are enlarged. It enlarges their hearts and makes them more active for God, even more so than before. Fear and enlargement can coexist. In Jeremiah 33:9, "And they shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it." In Isaiah 60:5, we find both expressions together, fear and enlargement. When the heart is struck with the fear of God, yet simultaneously experiences enlargement, becoming active and suitable for service, this is a sign of a gracious trembling that God accepts. God pays less attention to the horror that paralyzes and renders people unfit for service. Instead, He values the enlargement and readiness that make them fit for service.
Thirdly, this gracious trembling at God's Word is joined with love. It is a combination of fear and love. It trembles at the Word, yet it loves the Word. It remains committed to hearing the Word, even though it trembles. It stands by the Word, even if others speak against it.
Typically, people who are feared are not loved; they are hated by those who fear them. However, a sincere disposition desires to be both loved and feared. An hypocrite may be brought to fear and tremble at God's Word, but they never love it. Fear and love do not coexist within them. They fear God's Word, but they hate it. They wish there were no such Word of God, and that it was not as strict and holy as it is. In other words, they wish God were not so holy, which is essentially wishing there were no God at all. Yet, a wicked
heart is so infatuated with its lusts that it would rather have no God at all than be without its lusts. This is exemplified in the case of Ahab. He trembled, yet he hated the Word of God and the prophet.
The story of Ahab in 1 Kings 22:8 is well-known. When Ahab was going to Ramoth Gilead, he said to Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one man, Michaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord, but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but evil." Jehoshaphat responded, "Let not the king say so." I mention this incident to compare it with Ahab's disposition in Chapter 21. Ahab admitted that there was one prophet of the Lord, but he said, "I hate him." However, towards the end of the chapter, when the prophet came to him to speak the Word of the Lord, Ahab was struck with fear and trembling. The text states that when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his flesh, fasted, and went about mourning. This is the same Ahab who trembled at the Word of God and humbled himself, yet in the next chapter, he says, "There is one prophet of the Lord, but I hate him."
Ahab trembled before the prophets of God, yet he hated them. In contrast, a gracious heart trembles at the Word of God and loves it. It rejoices in it as a good Word, especially directed to the individual.
This serves as a third proof.
Fourthly, true fear and trembling at the Word is that which will settle the heart and strengthen it against all other fears. It will overshadow greater fears. But its virtue lies in its ability to fortify the heart and enable it to withstand all other fears. For example, a heart that trembles at the Word, though afraid at that moment, is not greatly afraid of outward losses and afflictions in the world. A notable example can be found in Habakkuk 3. There we see a prophet whose heart trembled greatly at God's Word when he heard it. In verse 16, he says, "When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice; rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself."
You might think, "Surely Habakkuk was a very fearful man."
However, you will discover that he was not a fearful man. He had a strong and courageous spirit, and this trembling at God's Word actually strengthened his spirit and made him courageous in the face
of outward afflictions. In verse 17, he declares, "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no food; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls." This refers to a dreadful famine and a dire situation. Yet, his heart, which had experienced such fear before, now fears none of these things. Many of you do not tremble at God's Word, but you tremble at the fear of any loss. You tremble at people, but not at the Word of God.
However, true and gracious trembling at God's Word strengthens the heart against other fears. David also experienced this in Psalm
119:161. He says, "Princes have persecuted me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your word." It is as if he is saying, "This is what will help me. Princes set themselves against me and persecute me unjustly, but my heart will stand in awe of your Word. The fear of your Word in my heart will prevent me from fearing the persecutions of the mighty in the world. I stand in awe of your Word." In other words, there are a group of cowardly individuals who may appear courageous in other matters, but when it comes to persecution, they will yield to anything. What causes them to do so? It is because their hearts were never struck with the fear of God's Word. But I do not fear greatly. Why? Because I have another fear in my heart that strengthens me against that fear. Therefore, this trembling at God's
Word is what helps the soul overcome all other tremblings.
And by the way, do not think it is a difficult lesson to teach you to tremble at God's Word. What, does it bring fear to us? It brought peace at first. No, it is the way to cure you of all base fears. If you never fear humans, losses, afflictions, or troubles, then fear the Word of God and tremble at that. The more fear there is of God's Word, the less fear there will be of any creature in the world. It is the only way to free you from all fears whatsoever.
Fifthly, another characteristic is this: true and gracious trembling at God's Word is accompanied by joy. It is joined with love, as mentioned before, but joy is a higher degree. In the sanctification of the heart, there is a blessed mixture of love and joy. Just like in
exquisite works where gold, silver, and pearls are combined, making it beautiful, the grace of sanctification is a masterpiece. So it is with fear and joy. You are familiar with the verse in Psalm 2:11, "Rejoice with trembling." The soul trembles at the Word, yet it is glad that such a Word of God exists. The soul considers the Word of God to be its inheritance. We have an excellent scripture to support this in Deuteronomy 33:2, which says, "From his right hand went a fiery law." But pay attention to what follows in verse 40, "Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob." What? A fiery law and yet an inheritance?
Yes, even if it has great severity. Take note of verse 3: He commanded a fiery law, yet He loved the people. You must not think that when a minister preaches things that seem dreadful to you, it means he does not love you. Pay attention here, God gave a fiery law, and yet He loved them. People should sit with meekness, quietness, and humility at your feet, receiving your words, even if it is a fiery law. And then in verse 4, Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob. Oh, even though the law is fiery, we consider it to be our inheritance in the law. Therefore, those who want to completely take away the law from us would be taking away part of our inheritance. Therefore, trembling and joy can coexist. In Psalm 119:162, we have a similar but more explicit verse:
"I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil." If you were traveling and came across a great booty, you would rejoice. Well, a gracious heart can rejoice at God's word as much as anyone in the world who finds great spoils. Therefore, when we urge you to fear
God's word, we are not enemies of your joy. The truth is, the only way to have true joy is to tremble at the word of God.
Sixthly, a gracious trembling is a habitual trembling: a trembling of the heart that is present in the heart as a habit, not only in sudden moments. Many times God strikes some sudden flashes of terror into the hearts of men and women, but they vanish and amount to nothing. But this trembling at God's word, which the Lord highly values, is a constant and habitual disposition of the soul. It is not
limited to certain instances of perceiving God's displeasure. Let God speak peace to the soul (please take note of this point), even if God speaks peace abundantly to this soul, it continues to tremble at the word of God. God's assurance of peace does not remove this disposition of the heart. Even when the conscience is most at peace, it still trembles at the word of God. Many people tremble at God's word during times of sickness and affliction, but as soon as they have tranquility and outward peace, their trembling disappears. However, a gracious heart trembles at the word of God even when the conscience is most at peace. It is an excellent indication of truth and genuine peace if you can experience this trembling when your conscience is most calm. We find an excellent scripture in Daniel
10:11: "And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright."
Here was a message of abundant mercy to Daniel, and the Lord, through an angel, affirmed that Daniel was greatly beloved. The Lord sent the angel to instruct him according to His will. Pay attention,
"For unto thee am I now sent." And when he spoke these words to me, I stood trembling. Despite receiving this testimony from God at that very moment, that he was a man greatly beloved, and the angel was sent to inform him that his prayer was heard, Daniel still stands trembling. He stands with reverence and fear before the Lord, ready to listen to His word. This is how it will be with a gracious heart.
Even when there is the greatest testimony of acceptance from God, and when there is peace in the spirit, it still approaches the word and stands trembling before it.
Seventhly, and lastly, it is a fear that subdues the heart to the power of the word. It subdues the thoughts, opinions, conscience, will, and affections to the power of the word. It is the kind of fear that struck
Saul's heart at his conversion in Acts 9:6. Here we see true trembling.
He trembled and was astonished, saying, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" Regardless of my previous opinions, regardless of my past ways, and regardless of the stubbornness and obstinacy in my heart,
Lord, no more, no more. You have struck my heart with fear. When God, through His word, strikes down the heart of a man or woman
and causes them to tremble as Saul did here, crying out, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" This is a gracious trembling, and the Lord pays special attention to it. Oh, the one who trembles at the word of God in this way is dear and precious in God's sight.
Now, you may wonder, why does the Lord have such a special regard for a trembling heart?
Why, first of all, it is because this disposition glorifies God's Word.
When people come and listen to it with frivolous and vain spirits, and perhaps make jokes about it afterwards, and speak of it lightly, they dishonour the Word of God. But when the Lord sees a group of humble creatures coming to hear His Word and trembling before it, apprehending the truths I have explained to you, then the Lord sees
His Word being honoured. God Himself loves to bestow great honour upon His Word, and therefore He loves those who honour His Word as well. In Isaiah 42, we read that He loves to make His law honourable. In verse 21, it says, "The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law and make it honourable." Even if people may despise it, God will make His law honourable. The Lord loves to see His creatures magnifying and honouring His Word.
And are you someone who trembles at God's Word? You are, in a sense, assisting God in the great thing He delights to do. When a group of people glorifies God's Word, as we see in another instance in the Book of Acts where it says, "They glorified the word of God," oh, the Lord loves that. This disposition of the heart glorifies the Word of God, which is dearer to Him than anything except His Son.
As Christ said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but not one jot or tittle of my word will pass away." Now, you, who honour God's Word, oh, you are accepted in God's sight.
Secondly, this disposition of heart puts a great deal of honour upon God. His name is greatly sanctified when the heart trembles at His
Word. It shows honour to His wisdom, sovereignty, majesty, authority, and holiness.
The truth is, the Lord is more honoured by a heart trembling at His Word than by a heart trembling at any glorious manifestations of Himself in all His works. For instance, let's suppose the Lord comes and appears from heaven in glory, accompanied by thunder, lightning, and earthquakes. Imagine Him appearing as He will on the great Day of Judgment, with the heavens departing like a scroll and the firmament melting with fervent heat. At that moment, perhaps all of you would tremble in fear at the great Day of Judgment.
However, my brethren, for a soul to tremble at God's Word glorifies God even more than trembling at His glorious manifestation on that day. Why? Because the latter is such a display of God's power that it would naturally elicit fear from us. But this trembling at His Word comes from a gracious and sanctified frame within the heart of a person. God considers Himself more glorified by this trembling than
He will be on that day. Therefore, those of you who do not want to tremble with horror and despair on that day, tremble now at God's
Word. If you do so, you need not fear that all those glorious manifestations of God will overwhelm your hearts with horror on the great Day of Judgment.
Why? Because God has already received the glory of His name through your fear of Him, even more than He would have received through any horror He could strike into you on the Day of Judgment.
God says, "Why should I forcefully extract my glory from these poor creatures by instilling horror in them through a magnificent manifestation? For I have merely revealed myself to them in my
Word, and their hearts have trembled and given glory to me." In Psalm 29, the Psalmist describes the voice of the Lord as thunder, portraying it as the most dreadful sound. God receives much glory through thundering and lightning, and by causing mighty oaks to quake and tremble. In Joel 3:16, it is written, "The voice of the Lord shakes the heavens and the earth." When God chooses to reveal His glory, He does so through His powerful voice. However, God receives