I have heard preachers throughout my life throw the phrase, “We should fear the Lord our God” in some shape, form or fashion. As a kid, I thought that I was most definitely afraid of God. I didn’t know why, but I was pretty afraid. I mean, with little or no context, I heard the Old Testament stories in Sunday School and Mrs. Mitchum was pretty scary herself.
About the time that I started praying with my own children I genuinely was afraid of God. And then on a Sunday night, in church, of course, I heard an older evangelist open the door to understanding as he unpacked what it meant to fear the Lord.
When he spoke of a healthy fear of God, it was in the sense of awe and wonder, not fear and trembling. For all of my fundamentalist readers out there…hang in there a few more sentences. I could really wrap my head around awe and wonder. Like, wouldn’t you like to have seen Jonah swallowed by a great fish? Me too! Wouldn’t you like to have seen a multitude of angels announcing that Jesus had been born? Me too! What about Jesus turning the water into wine? Can I get an amen?
Awe and wonder fit every perspective I have of the Divine. Yes, I know He does what He pleases. Yes, I know that he is all powerful. Yes, I know He split time in half, but I also know that He loves me and you enough to create a home in Heaven for all those who believe. He is a comforter, a healer, savior and safe harbor for the weary and downtrodden.
Replace the word FEAR with AWE and WONDER and you will change your daily life and perspective of God. Be awed by His grace and mercy. Be struck with wonder at His amazing grace and love. He is so much more than rules. He is the Holy God of all creation.
Walk in Peace and Filled with Awe Today!
–AChuck
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