Your cry has come before us and we have borne it before the Lord with tender care. We hear your confession of mental battles, of anxiety and that grinding religious care which makes you fear that you have disappointed God, and we hear also that you are pressed and wearied in this busy season at university and feel that you cannot stand without His strength and peace.
Know this, that there is a fear which we must not wish to keep. The fear which has torment, which thinks of God as an implacable foe, which recoils upon the soul and makes religion seem misery, is not the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom. The true fear of God is not dread but holy reverence and awe, and love is the very core of it. When a soul knows pardon through Jesus Christ alone, that pardon breeds love, and love breeds obedience and devotion, not slavish terror. The hymn we have often quoted says it well,
Till God in human flesh I see,
My thoughts no comfort find.
The holy, just and sacred Three,
Are terrors to my mind.
But if Immanuel's face appears,
My hope, my joy begins,
His name forbids my slavish fear,
His grace removes my sins.
That is the remedy, God with us, God made flesh. Jesus Christ, eternally God, was born and lived and died as we do, that your fear might be expelled. It is not the preacher who says Fear not, but Jesus Himself who whispers to His poor servant fallen as dead at His feet, Fear not. To be afraid in this slavish sense is to dishonor Him, for it says that His atonement is not sufficient and His presence not near. Fear weakens the arm and trips the feet, but faith quietly waits and finds His arm sufficient for every emergency.
Therefore labor to get rid, as much as possible, of this tormenting fear. You do well to declare your ways unto God, as the Psalmist did, I have declared my ways and Thou heardest me, teach me Thy statutes. Tell Him all, keep no secret from Him, for the secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him. When thoughts accuse you that you have disappointed Him, look not within to your own anxious scruples, but look to Christ who has performed all things for you. You go and do the right thing in the strength He gives, and then be no longer anxious about it, but leave the result with God. If you are brought to a pass and know not what to do, take the word of Scripture, Fear not, stand still and see the salvation of God.
For this present press of study and duty, hear the promise which is yours in Christ, Fear thou not for I am with thee, be not dismayed for I am thy God, I will strengthen thee, yea I will help thee, yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness. Immutability itself shall be your succor and all the attributes of God shall be your treasury. He will not suffer you to bring dishonor upon His cross, for He keeps the feet of His saints. Walk much with Him in prayer through the day, cry unto God most high, unto God that performeth all things for you, and serve Him with the strength of each day as it comes, trusting that perfect love casteth out fear.
We pray for you now.
O Lord our God, look upon this Thy child who is sore pressed with anxiety and wearied with scruples, fearing to have grieved Thee. Forgive all sin through the blood of Jesus Christ Thy Son, and let that forgiveness breed in the soul a loving and reverent fear, not a tormenting dread. Speak Thou Thyself, Fear not, and let Immanuel's face appear to give hope and joy. Strengthen for the labors of this university season, help in every duty, uphold when the mind is tossed, and grant that peace which passeth all understanding to keep heart and mind through Christ Jesus. Teach Thy statutes, keep in fellowship, and make this tried one to know that Thou art with him and wilt not forsake him. In the name of Jesus our Redeemer we ask it. Amen.
