Psalm 130:4 But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be feared. "That Thou mayest be feared" How does that follow? There is forgiveness with Thee! a blessed truth that! I. THERE MUST BE SOMETHING PECULIAR ABOUT GOD'S FORGIVENESS THAT IT LEADS TO FEAR. Had my text in connection with God introduced scenes of terror — the great white throne; the books of judgment; the falling heavens; the dying sun; the departing earth; the pit; the smoke of torment; the worm that never dies, and the fire that is never quenched — all hearts would have responded like an echo to the text, and this question had trembled on our lips, "Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? for Thou only art holy." But this is not the way. And how is it, that while the parents who constantly forgive are not feared, God, with whom is forgiveness, is? Why is it that forgiveness does not in His ease, as in theirs, breed insolent presumption? II. LET ME EXPLAIN THOSE PECULIAR CHARACTERS IN THE FORGIVENESS OF GOD WHICH BREED FEAR, NOT PRESUMPTION, IN THE FORGIVEN. 1. The manner of the forgiveness sets forth the holiness of God and the evils of sin in the strongest light. Turn to the Cross of Calvary, to that august and awful spectacle on which angels, suspending their songs, are gazing in silent wonder. By that bloody tree, under that frowning sky, the earth trembling beneath our feet and the sun darkened above our heads, does sin seem a light and little thing? 2. The manner of forgiveness sets forth not only God's hatred of sin, but His love to sinners in the strongest light. It is hard be say whether it most illustrates His hatred of our sins or His love of ourselves. It, costs man nothing to forgive, but it cost God His Son. I cannot fathom, and I dare not fancy the feelings of the eternal Father, when He saw the Son whom He loved with infinite affection spit upon, scourged, reviled, bleeding, dying on the accursed tree. But how must He have loved you for whom He gave a Son so loved! And how will the love this breeds in you make you fear to dishonour or displease One who has so loved you — securing your forgiveness on such an immovable foundation and at so great a price. ( T. Guthrie, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.WEB: But there is forgiveness with you, therefore you are feared. |
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