Psalm 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. The scientist tells us that the laws of nature are arranged on the principle of antagonistic forces; and it is somewhat thus with the laws of the Christian life. I. THE TWO STATES OF FEELING REFERRED TO. 1. Fear. There are two kinds, servile and filial. The latter is indicated here. A noble sensitiveness, an anxious consciousness, a salutary apprehensiveness. 2. "And rejoice with trembling," that is, with diffidence. II. THESE TWO STATES OF FEELING ARE NOT INCOMPATIBLE. They are only apparently so. How often in nature contradictory materials and forces blend — hydrogen and oxygen, nitrogen and oxygen. Attraction and repulsion are really complementary, and not contradictory. III. THEY ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. They not only may, but ought, to exist together. 1. We ought to fear. The brighter the star the more it trembles. 2. And we ought to rejoice. "Fear without joy is torment, and joy without holy fear would be presumption." (W. L. Watkinson.) Parallel Verses KJV: Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. |
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