Fear

"Good men have the fewest fears. He who fears to do wrong has but one great fear; he has a thousand who has overcome it."                                   Christian Nestell Bovee (1820-1904) American author & editor.

If you didn't quite get that, read it again, particularly the last phrase. The old-fashioned syntax makes it difficult, so I had to think about it for a moment. "He has a thousand who has overcome it". Overcome what? The fear of doing wrong. Once a person is not afraid to do wrong, they have a multitude of things to fear. 

I found the statement profound, doubly so because I ran across today in my old writing files. Years ago, I kept a small notebook so I could jot down notes during church or at other times when inspiration hit. Often, the church notes were the inspiration to write. These days, I have precious little inspiration. So, this pink note is a welcome sight. 

It was May 8, 1998. I was unemployed but went to work at the housing authority later in the year. We were having a difficult time financially because Jerry and I both were doing temp work to pay the bills and take care of our children. 

The following is from the note, just as I wrote it in 1998

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The fear of the Lord is ...

Prov 8:13 ... to hate evil.    

        9:10 ... beginning of wisdom.

       10:27 ... prolongs days

       14:27 ... fountain of life.

       15:23 ... instruction of wisdom

        19:23 ... tendeth to life ... he that hath it shall abide satisfied and

                        shall not be visited with evil.

        22:4 ... are riches, honor, life

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The fear of the Lord should encompass your life. I am not afraid of doing wrong. I'm terrified. The rewards of the fear of the Lord far outweigh the cost of not fearing Him.