---

Fear prevents confidence, and sometimes destroys confidence; but the "fear of the Lord" produces confidence. The text does not say that all godly persons have confidence; some have not, because the body is weak or there is some morbid feeling ruling the heart which should not control the emotions and the affections. Godliness, where it has full play and free scope, will invariably produce confidence. All the confidence of godly persons is not a direct fruit of piety. Some confidence comes from constitutional conditions. It is a matter of temperament.

I. REAL GODLINESS INVOLVES CONFIDENCE TOWARDS GOD. Because in such a case as this reconciliation with God is complete. Not necessarily the realisation of reconciliation and the fruits and effects of it. If reconciliation in the case of those who fear the Lord be complete, confidence cannot but be restored by such reconciliation. There springs up between them that "fear the Lord and God," that which may be called filial friendship; and in this there is strong confidence, Further, the intercourse of the godly with heaven is perfectly unfettered. And there is, in the case of those who "fear the Lord," happy dependence; such as that of the babe upon its mother. We are not always to be asking God for an explanation of His doings, we are to trust Him. There is motherhood as truly as fatherhood in God.

II. REAL GODLINESS PRODUCES CONFIDENCE TOWARDS MEN. Not impudence; not boldness of the evil kind; but that confidence which is perfectly consistent with deep humility, and which works together with that spirit which is ever ready to put honour on another. Do not mistake this confidence towards men. This confidence is the confidence of conscious uprightness. As in the case of Job. But it is not the self-conceit which says, "Stand by, I am holier than thou."

III. THE CONFIDENCE WHICH REAL GODLINESS AWAKENS IS ADAPTED TO ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. In danger it becomes boldness. In duty and work it becomes conscious power. The godly man is not a fatalist.

IV. A CONFIDENCE WHICH ABIDES TO THE END. It goes with a man to the uttermost, it carries him right through. It endures because the principles out of which it is established endure. Faith endures. Hope endures. This confidence will be strong enough to do all the work which you, in this world of sin and sorrow, may require from it. Then do not be content without strong confidence. And endeavour to promote this confidence, especially among weak and timid Christians.

(S. Martin, M.A.)

---

---

KJV: In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

WEB: In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children.