Deuteronomy 28:10

The world afraid of the godly.

I. GOD 'S PEOPLE CALLED BY HIS NAME . God calls or names his Name upon them, i . e . distinguishes, owns, chooses, recognizes them as his, by dwelling among them ( 2 Corinthians 3:16 ), by causing his blessing to rest upon them, by answering their prayers, by favoring their cause, by establishing their work ( Psalms 90:13-17 ). "God is love" ( 1 John 4:8 ). His "Name" expresses pre-eminently that attribute of his character ( Exodus 34:6 , Exodus 34:7 ). It can, therefore, be revealed only upon or in relation to his own people.

II. NOMINAL AND REAL CALLING . "They are not all Israel which are of Israel" ( Romans 9:6 ). Real, as distinguished from nominal, saints are marked:

1. By obedience to the Divine commands ( Deuteronomy 28:9 ; Matthew 7:22 ).

2. By separation from the world ( 2 Corinthians 7:1-16 :17, 18).

3. By the power of holiness dwelling in them.

4. By manifold tokens of the Divine favor.

Thus the world "sees" them to be what they are ( Acts 4:13 ).

III. THOSE KNOWN TO BE CALLED BY GOD 'S NAME ARE FEARED . Worldly men fear them. They fear the holiness that resides in them. They fear their prayers. They fear their power with God. They feel that there dwells in them a Presence whom they have every reason to dread ( Acts 2:43 ).—J.O.