Nehemiah 1:11 - Homiletics

Delight in fearing God.

"Thy servants, who desire [delight] to fear thy name." If the English version be correct, this description of God's servants reminds us bow largely their religion in this world consists of "desire." They have real piety, but are dissatisfied with their attainments, and aspire to better things. Their desire is, however, to be carefully distinguished from that of many who substitute occasional good wishes for actual piety. The real Christian's desire impels him to the diligent use of all those means by which a higher life is reached. He "exercises himself unto godliness;" and what he attains he employs in spiritual and moral living. But the word used rather signifies "delight," expressing the pleasure which God's servants feel in their religion. The text then indicates—

I. The NATURE of their fear of God. Such fear as is a delight. Not, therefore, mere dread—the fear which "hath torment" ( 1 John 4:18 ). Not the fear of a slave, not the dread of the feeble towards a capricious mighty tyrant, or of the guilty towards a just ruler; but reverence—that fear which consists with confidence and love, and is blended with them.

II. The OBJECT Of their fear. "Thy name." The manifested nature of God. God as revealed by his works and word; his perfections; his relations to the universe—to good men and bad; his authority. All are adapted to awaken reverence, and do awaken it in his servants.

III. Their PLEASURE in its exercise.

1. Whence it arises. From the felt rightness and harmony of such fear with their position towards God; the satisfaction it imparts to their conscience; the evidence and promise which it gives of Divine favour; the elevating and sanctifying power it exerts; the defence it supplies against sin and its consequences.

2. How it will be shown. By frequent conscious exercise of such fear in devout thought and acts of worship; by yielding to its practical influence, in producing a service abundant, joyous, and persevering. When religion is a delight it will not be stinted, nor likely to decline. Finally, if the fear of God's name be delightful, how much more the faith, hope, and love which the gospel inspires.