Psalm 147:10-11
10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse;
He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.
11 The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him,
In those who hope in His mercy.
God wants us to trust Him.
It was the core issue in the Garden of Eden ("Will you trust Me enough to not eat from that tree for no reason other than because I said so?"), and it will be the core issue at the end of the age, as He judges wickedness and the rebellion of all nations against Him. How will you respond when God unleashes judgments that kill half the population of the earth? (Rev 6:8, 9:15) God is looking for those who will trust His leadership and agree with His heart so completely that they will sing "Just and true are Your ways!" in the midst of the most cataclysmic judgments in human history (Rev 15:3-4).
The word "faith" does not appear much in the Old Testament, but the "fear of the LORD" actually means something very similar. Faith and fear are really the same - they are both about a belief in what you do not yet see. And both are appropriate responses to God. All of us are going to answer for every choice that we make before a Man who knows everything we did, every thought, and every secret motive perfectly. Paul said that the appropriate response to that fact is to be terrified (2 Cor 5:11).
Fear need not paralyze us, however. From the terror of the Lord, we can move on into trust in the Lord. He who will be faithful to judge us with perfect accuracy will also be faithful to extend abundant mercy to anyone who asks for it. (John 6:37)
And He loves it. He actually enjoys people who believe Him and understand His character enough to respond rightly to Him! After all, it's what He made us for.
