Why is it? By Arthur Pink. Psalm 36, verse 1. An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked. There is no fear of God before his eyes.

Why is it that today the masses are so utterly unconcerned about spiritual and eternal things, and that they are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God? Why is it that defiance of God is becoming more open, more blatant, more daring? The answer is, because there is no fear of God before their eyes.

Again, why is it that the authority of the scriptures has been lowered so sadly of late? Why is it that even among those who profess to be the Lord's people that there is so little real subjection to His Word, and that its precepts are so lightly esteemed and so readily set aside? Ah, what needs to be stressed today is that God is a God to be feared.

Happy is the person who has been awed by a view of God's majesty, who has had a vision of God's unutterable greatness, His ineffable holiness, His perfect righteousness, His irresistible power, His sovereign grace. Time was, when it was the general custom to speak of a believer as a God-fearing man. That such an appellation has become extinct only serves to show where we have drifted.

Nevertheless, it still stands written, like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear him. When we speak of godly fear, of course, we do not mean a servile fear, such as prevails among the heathen in connection with their gods. No. We mean that spirit which Jehovah is pledged to bless, that spirit to which the prophet referred when he said, To this man will I look, even to him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word.

Nothing will foster this godly fear like a recognition of the sovereign majesty of God. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear, fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, this is the one to fear.

Luke, chapter 12, verses 4 and 5