Should I Fear God?

Photo by Lucy Chian on Unsplash

Call me crazy, but I love thunder storms … that is, when I’m inside; not so much if I’m outside. But there’s just such a sense of comfort and security I feel whenever the storm is outside and I’m inside. This is how I feel knowing that I’m in Jesus.

Jesus is the man who:

• Slept in the midst of a death threatening storm.
• Will be as a hiding place from the wind,
  And a cover from the tempest,
  As rivers of water in a dry place,
  As the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.

To him, David prayed:

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of your wings. Selah (Psalm 61.2-4).

While Noah and his family were inside the Ark during the great flood, I’m sure the sound of the ocean being broken up and the hard pouring rain, pelting down upon the roof of that vessel must have been terrifying. But knowing that God had promised to protect them and knowing that the ship had been built to God’s specifications would have brought great peace, comfort and security during the most powerful storm in the history of the world.

In the Old Testament scriptures there are many commands to fear God. This was the God who gave the law. When he gave it, the people trembled.

But the New Testament is also replete with admonitions to fear God, such as this one:

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: Hebrews 12.28

One might think that since we are in the age of grace and no longer under the strict demands of the law, that there is no longer any reason to fear God. Well… that depends on what kind of fear we are talking about.

John Piper said; 

There’s terror outside of Christ and there’s a different kind of trembling inside of Christ.

He’s right. One kind of fear is that of fearing a policeman if you’re a criminal. The other is the fear of the same man by a law abiding citizen. The outlaw fears everything about the lawman and does all he can to avoid him. The other fears the officer in the sense of what he represents and does all he can to stay on good terms.

Just imagine meeting an angel! Evidently, their appearance is pretty intimidating. (They are not really the fat little floating cupids flapping their tiny, fluffy buffalo wings.)

It seems that angels, as portrayed in scripture, are always masculine, not feminine. They appeared to be men, usually without wings, except for the unique winged angelic beings called Cherubs (Cherubim) or Seraphs (Seraphim). All of them seem to be magnificent creatures which were made for God’s great glory.

Seeing such a being might scare the bejeebers out of us. So, the angels would invariably say, “Fear not,” to keep from frightening their audiences.

Often, when God himself appeared to people, he would also say, “Fear not.” I think we can clearly say that he does not want us to be afraid.

When God gave Moses the commandments to deliver to the people of Israel the people were very afraid. Seeing the thunderings, lightnings, the smoking mountain, and hearing the trumpet blasts, they said to Moses,

You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die. (Exodus 20.18-19)

Moses' answer was interesting – one which might sound very contradictory.

And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not (verse 20).

Notice that in the same sentence he says both “Fear not” and that God wants “that his fear may be” before their faces. See that? Fear not … that his fear may be.

This shows us the two different kinds of fear. Notice the contrast.

One Kind of Fear:                                  The Other Kind of Fear:

         

          An intimidating fear.                               An endearing fear. 

          A repelling fear.                                      An attractive fear.

          An unholy fear.                                       A holy fear.

          A troublesome fear (can’t sleep).           Secure, restful, peaceful.

          A fear that is conflicting.                         A respectful kind of fear.

A wholesome fear of God:

• Recognizes his holiness.
• Eliminates pride and presumption.
• Creates a love for him.
• Keeps us from pushing the limits of his limitless grace.
• Helps us to walk in obedience.
• Comes from a faith in both his greatness and his goodness.
• Realizes both the goodness and the severity of God.

Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king  

(1 Peter 2.17).