Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long; because thou shalt have hope in the latter end (Prov. 23:17, 18).
I. Consider first, the grand fruit which the holy fear of the Lord brings with it, namely, confidence at the hour of death: “In the latter end.” This is a universal rule, as proved by experience. Those who during life are very confident, saying that if they fall into sin, the Divine mercy will help them out again, do not dare at the hour of death even to call on Him. They are in despair, or at least in deep discouragement. Those whose consciences were more easily alarmed have more courage in that hour. Think with yourself awhile to which class you belong.
II. Consider secondly, that in order to attain to this confidence at the hour of death, it is not enough to entertain at the present an ordinary fear of the Lord, it must be an overmastering fear. Therefore the command is not, “Be the fear of the Lord in thee all the day long,” but, “Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long;” for the fear of the Lord must be like an ocean surrounding you on all sides in such sort that when once you are plunged into its waters you can not again emerge. And how long is it to continue? — from morning until evening: the command is not “for every day,” but “all the day long.” You are told to be in it, not frequently, but always.
III. Consider thirdly, that the final promise made to him who entertains this great fear of the Lord, is, that he shall have confidence at the hour of death: “Thou shalt have hope in the latter end.” The promise is not, “Thou shalt have assurance,” but, “Thou shalt have hope;” for even the very fear, here mentioned, can never render you secure. Now this being the case, what shall become of those who feel no sort of fear? Can the wicked feel secure, where the saints have only hope?