Cary: the fear of God

Sunday, February 14, 2016
    Feast of Cyril & Methodius, Missionaries to the Slavs, 869 & 885
    Commemoration of Valentine, Martyr at Rome, c.269
Meditation:
The law of the LORD is perfect,
    converting the soul:
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
    making wise the simple.
The statutes of the LORD are right,
    rejoicing the heart:
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
    enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is clean,
    enduring for ever:
the judgments of the LORD are true
    and righteous altogether.
    —Psalm 19:7-9 (KJV)
Quotation:
    My father had never lost his temper with us, never beaten us, but we had for him that feeling often described as fear, which is something quite different and far deeper than alarm. It was that sense which, without irreverence, I have thought to find expressed by the great evangelists when they speak of the fear of God. One does not fear God because He is terrible, but because He is literally the soul of goodness and truth, because to do Him wrong is to do wrong to some mysterious part of oneself, and one does not know exactly what the consequences may be.
    ... Joyce Cary (1888-1957), Except the Lord, London: Michael Joseph, 1953, reprint, New Directions Publishing, 1985, p. 47 (see the book)
    See also Ps. 19:7-9; Gen. 22:12; Ps. 34:8-9,11-14; 111:10; 112:1; Pr. 1:7; 9:10; Eccl. 12:13; John 14:6; 1 Pet. 2:2-3
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, keep me away from lawlessness. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
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