Fear Or Respect?

As a new Christian I didn’t like the idea of fearing God. It didn’t seem right that this same Jesus who came to earth to die for my sins was Someone I needed to be afraid of. When I asked about this, everyone said, “Oh, that doesn’t mean that we should be afraid of God. It just means that we should respect Him.”

Each time I read “fear” I would think “respect.” But I wondered why it was only that word that people told me to change. If the Greek or Hebrew word was “respect,” why did the translators insist on using “fear”? I didn’t like changing a word in my Bible just because it made me feel uncomfortable.

Today, when I read “fear” in my Bible I think “fear.” And it’s not because I’ve learned Greek and Hebrew and I now know that the original word was indeed fear and the translators were right. It’s because I not only respect God, I’m afraid of Him.
Jesus Scares Me

Just like the disciples were afraid of Jesus when they began to understand what it really meant to be in a personal relationship with God in the flesh:

It scares me that He is so sure of Himself that He refuses to be controlled by my desires and wishes.

It scares me that He is so purposeful that He refuses to be swayed by popular opinion or political correctness.

It scares me that He is so powerful that He could take me out whenever He wants.

It scares me that He is so devoted to my children’s spiritual maturity that He doesn’t consult me concerning the easiest and safest path for their lives.

It scares me that He is willing to do anything, even inflict pain, to draw my loved ones, my friends, and me closer to Him.
And Comforts Me!

And then, just when His power and purposes begin to intimidate me to the point that I want to draw away, I realize that these are the same reasons why I need Him so. And I’m comforted.

It comforts me to know that He ignores the stupid parts of my plans for my life and just goes ahead and does what He wants.

It comforts me to know that He never considers opinion polls or popular trends; He just does what is right.

It comforts me that He is the one who will take me out of this life in His perfect time and in His perfect way–my end on earth will not be a random event determined by chemistry or physics.

It comforts me that He cares more for my children’s eternal well-being than He does for their temporary pleasant and prosperous circumstance.

It comforts me to know that there is Someone perfectly reliable and strong who, more than anything else, wants intimacy with me and those I love. And, that He is willing and able to do whatever it takes to achieve His goal.

So what are you reading, fear or respect? You need to respect God, but you also need a God you can fear. The only Deliverer who can meet your deepest needs.

“He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them!” (Psalm 145:19)

Question: Why do you think we are so afraid of trusting our loving God with the course of our life?