“Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” – Psalm 34:11
The tremendous value of being taught as we walk the Christian life can’t be overstated. This is one of the great benefits of discipleship. None of us have arrived at complete sanctification (Phil. 3:12-14). All of us need to learn and grow through daily lessons. There are many things we don’t know. The older you get the more you know this to be true. There are also many things you know and need to grow in knowing more deeply. All of us need daily reminders of where wisdom truly lies, as well as what it looks like in practice (2 Pet. 1:12). Therefore, this is another reason why it’s important for relationships between parents and children, teachers and students, elders, pastors and their sheep, etc. need to be nurtured and kept healthy. For biblical truth needs to be regularly taught and applied in open, listening ears and hearts.
David demonstrates his engagement in such instruction in godly relationships in Psalm 34. As David served as a familial, civil, and spiritual father to many, as he tenderly issues the call for people everywhere to taste and see God’s goodness (v. 8), he also tenderly calls his children, people of all ages to come and be taught. For as the lambs come, by God’s grace and work, their education in the King’s classroom leads to the bearing of good fruit in them. We see this call gloriously in Christ’s evangelistic words to men and women everywhere to come to Him, find rest, and learn from Him (Matt. 11:28-30). We find this true in Solomon as he undoubtedly learned from his father, David, and carried on the practice with his children (Prov. 1:1-9). We also find this true in the Apostle Paul and his pastoral training of Timothy (2 Tim. 2:2). This is the kind of multi-generational instruction that we pray for in our families and families in the church.
So, are you ready and eager to come, listen, and learn the fear of the Lord? This call is to all of Christ’s lambs, young and old. Knowing the fear of the Lord doesn’t come naturally. Therefore, come and attentively listen, with the intent to learn right reverence and awe, with the intent to learn the true religion and worship of God. As you do so, know that listening and learning must lead to seeking wisdom. Seeking her like hidden treasures will lead to the divine gift of deeper understanding that can be applied to your walk. As Solomon imparted to his son- “If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;” (Prov. 2:4-6)
Yet, readiness, eagerness, and faithfulness to come, listen, and learn are regular challenges. All too often we want to go our own way and do our own thing. We busy ourselves. If we’re honest, there are times when we enjoy distractions and detours. As much as learning the fear of the Lord is joyful for the Christian, it takes us out of our comfort zone. What details and temptations in your life get in the way of your coming to Jesus to learn from Him? What gets in the way of your coming to His servants who are prepared to preach and teach you the Word? What clogs your ears, or shuts them up from the sweet honey being imparted to you from it? What keeps you from learning and seeking wisdom? These are important questions for you to examine and answer. Some obstacles may be occasional and irregular. Some may be more deep seated. In your examination, take all of these matters to your Lord. Search them out, praying that the Spirit would show you, soften your heart, humble you, and open your ears. You can never get enough of the riches that Christ will teach you!
Pride always stops your feet and plugs your ears from receiving the truth. Never forget this! One of Satan’s strategies is to use pride and pain to quickly or gradually shut your ears towards your pastor, elders, and biblical teachers so that you’re no longer willing to listen and learn from the Word, or the fear of the Lord they proclaim. Though you may know this, receive this loving reminder and grow in refreshed understanding so that you wisely guard your heart, cut out bad roots that are there, or are trying to grow, and walk circumspectly. Pray that the Spirit would give you renewed, ongoing zeal and hunger to come with a desire to be taught. Then come, keep learning and maturing in your walk in the fear of the Lord!
I’ll leave you will Paul’s words to the saints in Philippi, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Phil. 4:8-9)
