Is it a contradiction?

Psalm 33:18
“But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love….”

This verse seems like a contradiction; that we should fear the one who we know loves us. What is this concept of fear? Perhaps in our day we emphasize the love and goodness of God, and we overlook the aspect of fearing God. This psalm speaks of his power in creation and the firmness of his word. It tells us that his purposes are eternal and no people or nation can foil his plans. No army is big enough, no armaments powerful enough to overcome God’s plans.

Yet, the “eyes of the Lord,” are on those who fear him and hope in his love. In the midst of all that is happening in the world, God sees us and cares about us. He wants to deliver us from death, sometimes physically but ultimately for eternity with him. He has the power to feed us even when there seems to be nothing to eat. We wait, we hope, we trust because ultimately God is love and his love never fails. (Verses 19-22)

What are you going through today? Read Ps. 33 and then re-read verses 1-3. Get out the songbook or the CD, sing loud and joyfully to the Lord, it's an expression of hope in his love. It will make a world of difference.