In a monarchy or tyranny situation, one approaches the ruler with a heavy dose of fearful respect, knowing that person has the power to incarcerate or execute without any trial. In America, our democratic style of government with its division of power prevents one individual from being all-powerful in the eyes of the people. President is the highest office we have and our presidents are mocked and criticized every day without consequence. This makes it particularly difficult for American Christians to grasp what it means to reverentially fear the Lord, but it is a concept we cannot afford to ignore. God demands reverence from us, and we cannot please Him without it. To help us with this, God has provided many accounts in the Old Testament which demonstrate His absolute power over humanity. The plagues and traumas He inflicted on people back then serve to remind us that when we approach God, we are not approaching anything human. While Christians needn’t fear eternal torment in Hell thanks to the work of Jesus on the cross, we still must retain a fearful respect for God in our everyday lives. While we are on earth, we do not exist in a sheltered bubble where nothing is required of us. If we persist in holding irreverent attitudes towards God, treating Him no better than we treat other human beings, He can and will discipline us. He can make our lives quite miserable if need be, and there is no pain He will spare us if it means reviving our sense of reverence.