The Godly Man's Picture

‘By faith Noah, moved with fear’ (Heb 11:7). Faith and fear go hand in hand. When the soul looks at God’s holiness, he fears. When he looks at God’s promises, he believes. A godly man trembles, yet trusts. Fear preserves reverence, faith preserves cheerfulness; fear keeps the soul from lightness, faith keeps it from overmuch sadness. By this we may know whether we walk with God, if we walk ‘in the fear of God’. We are fearful of infringing his laws, and forfeiting his love. It is a brand set upon sinners: ‘There is no fear of God before their eyes’ (Rom. 3:18). The godly fear and do not offend (Psa. 4:4). The wicked offend and do not fear (Jer. 5:23,24). Careless and dissolute walking will soon estrange God from us and make him weary of our company: ‘what communion hath light with darkness?’ (2 Cor. 6:14).  ~Thomas Watson, The Godly Man’s Picture