Afraid Of God? Better Be!

The LORD is a jealous God, filled with vengeance and rage. He takes revenge on all who oppose him and continues to rage against his enemies! [Nahum 1.2]

In continuation of my most recent post, The Fear Of God Is More Than Respect, Nahum 1.2 stands as a very good reason to be afraid of God! God is to be feared and so, the fear of God is a real thing that certainly means more than "respect." The fear of God includes respect, as seen in the aforementioned post, but it also very much includes "being afraid" of what He is capable of doing.

In contrast, and this is the part everyone likes, see what Nahum says immediately following verse 2:

The LORD is slow to get angry, but his power is great, and he never lets the guilty go unpunished. He displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm. The billowing clouds are the dust beneath his feet. [Nahum 1.3]

Nahum 1.3 is further confirmed in verse 7:

The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him. [Nahum 1.7] 

However, verse 8 then brings back balance:

But he will sweep away his enemies in an overwhelming flood. He will pursue his foes into the darkness of night. [Nahum 1.8] 

To focus on God's love neglecting His justice puts one in imbalance. No different is it when one focuses on God's justice neglecting His love.

Because God controls everything, "He displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm. The billowing clouds are the dust beneath his feet," His anger is something very much to be afraid of. In fact, the only reason we have so many instances of the words, "fear not" in the Bible is because God's repeated presence (including His angels) invokes real fear. It must be noted however that His words "fear not" were never spoken to those who were not in God's favor, but only to those who were devoted to God.

I believe when we finally see God, there will be two things that will stand out in immense profundity: 1) His sovereign power and presence as Almighty God will confirm every fear anyone has ever had of Him - and more, and, 2) when we realize that He did not annihilate us, we will be flooded with the realization just how much He loves and cares for us - and especially as Christ suffered on our behalf. And, in that environment, we will spend eternity in awe and worship of Him.

In fact, the depth of God's love can only be fully realized when we fully comprehend how much He is to be feared. Our fear of Him aligns us with obedience to Him (including the obedience of faith in Christ) where we experience His love - His Words, "fear not!"

Having said all this, just as the Old Testament prophets, John the Baptist, and finally Jesus Himself all proclaimed, repentance and humility create the environment of Christ-likeness where God says, "fear not." Otherwise, you better duck!

Father, to understand your justice and love will take all our lives. But help us to comprehend how Your justice and love compliment one another, each revealing the other in contrast. May we be found bold in regard to Your love as we remain repentant and humble in regard to Your justice. So help us. So be it.