Fear & Mercy

If we truly study the Word and know the attributes and character of the Most High, it should not surprise us to see lines such as these penned in the Psalms. Walking in obedience to His commandments and rightly receiving His great mercy always go hand in hand. Despite the biblical mandate to walk pursuing a holy and set apart life, there’s simply no room to embark into such an endeavor without welcoming and receiving Father’s great mercy.

The Hebrew understanding of mercy (chesed) appears 250 times in the Old Testament. It is most commonly used to describe YHWH’s great desire and zealous love for His People. A love that is often revealed most simply as His kindness. If one properly understands the biblical motivation for walking in His commandments, it is rightly recognizing this - His great “chesed” (mercy.)

This is why fear, reverence and obedience, in response to His mercy is seen all throughout the Scriptures. This is why the wise writer of Ecclesiastes stated, “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear YHWH and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” When a man acknowledges and receives the Father’s wonderful “chesed”, He wants to obey His commands. It is the biblical evidence of a yielded life of one that loves YHWH.

This is a simple, yet profound way, to rightly explain why Father’s great love and mercy, and then our obedience to His Instructions, are always inseparable.