Psalm 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. I. THE UNIVERSAL OBLIGATION. "No man liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself." We cannot even die without affecting others, much less can we live without influencing to a greater or less degree the condition and character of those by whom we are surrounded. This is not merely a fact, it is a law. There may be individual unwillingness, as in the case of a miser; or the principle may be socially counter-wrought. All classes unite in working for the common good; knowing it or not, whether they be willing or not, all serve the state-unity which they compose. In the language of the text, the business of all created life is to "serve the Lord." II. PARTICULAR OBEDIENCE. 1. To serve God consciously. 2. To serve God reverently. Think how great and how good a Master! Our particular place and work may be humble; yet the whole is sublime. Angels, free from all distraction in the sinless world, are working at the grander parts; our work and theirs are yet to be brought together. Ours, therefore, must be our very best, or better be left undone. 3. To serve God fearfully. As having failed, and yet having been forgiven. As having promised better things, and yet as knowing ourselves weak; and finally, as bearing in mind the testing time. (J. M. Stott, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. |
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