A Holy Fear

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." —Proverbs 9:10

Have you ever beheld such power that made you acutely aware of your frailty and vulnerability?

Standing in the midst of a thunderous lightning storm might conjure that feeling. An electrical discharge from lightning can reach 27,000 degrees Celsius—hotter than the surface of the sun. It releases 300 million volts and 30,000 amps. For context, a household current is just 120 volts and 15 amps. The powerful combination of electricity, light, and heat can stop the human heart's conduction system, causing sudden cardiac arrest.

Or consider the raw power of a waterfall. Its raging torrents can erode solid rock. Water can be an untamable force, forming flash floods that rip trees from the ground and tsunamis that shift the foundation of entire cities.

Fire is no exception when it comes to power. The ferocious licks of a raging blaze can swiftly set a forest aflame in seconds!

We dare not underestimate the powerful forces of nature. They are a wonder to behold from our fragile and vulnerable vantage point. If this is true of nature, how much more should we be in awe of the power of the God who created the thunder, lightning, waters, and fire?

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The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." — Psalm 19:1

Creation serves as a witness to God’s existence. He made all things with His imprint so that creation itself would point to its Designer. The power displayed in nature gives us a glimpse of God's unmatched power.

Expressing awe at God's power, Elihu declares in Job 37:1,

“My heart pounds as I think of this. It trembles within me.”

He continues:

“Listen carefully to the thunder of God’s voice as it rolls from His mouth. It rolls across the heavens, and His lightning flashes in every direction. Then comes the roaring of the thunder—the tremendous voice of His majesty..."— Job 37:2–4

It’s nearly impossible for our human minds to fathom the matchless power of God. We can only begin to describe it by the natural elements we experience with our senses, what we can see, hear, and feel, so that even with limited understanding, we can begin to grasp the greatness of His glory. If nature can reveal our fragility and cause us to tremble, should the supreme power of God Almighty produce any less of a response?

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I’ve often heard it said that when Scripture speaks of fearing God, it simply means to respect or honor Him. While that's partly true, the original Hebrew word paints a deeper picture:

Yir'â (fear):

terror, dread, reverence

The fear of the Lord goes beyond admiration. It encompasses a recognition of His overwhelming holiness, infinite power, and righteous authority which rightly causes us to tremble.

At Mount Sinai, when Moses met with God to receive the Ten Commandments, God warned the people not to approach the mountain:

“Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches it will be put to death.” —Exodus 19:12

Then, on the third day:

"Thunder and lightning struck, thick clouds formed, and a loud trumpet sounded. Smoke billowed from the mountain like a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently...When the people saw it all, they trembled with fear and stood at a distance.” —Exodus 19:16, 18–19

The people cried out:

“You speak to us, and we will listen. But do not let God speak to us, or we will die.” —Exodus 20:19

The fear of the Lord was such that the people not only wouldn’t dare approach God, they were afraid even to hear Him speak!

When we encounter great power, we naturally ascribe reverence. We marvel at its magnificence but also respect the danger it poses.

Fear of God produces both reverence and terror.

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When God’s presence descended on Mount Sinai, the mountain became sacred ground. Even though the people had washed and consecrated themselves, they still could not draw near to God’s holiness.

In Isaiah 6:5, the prophet cries out:

“Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips...for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.”

Before God, our fragility is exposed. Our sins laid bare. We’re forced to confront our weakness and yield to something far greater.

Fear of God is an instinctual response to His Holiness.

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When the Israelites begged Moses to speak on God's behalf, they had just been given God's commandments. God was establishing His covenant, a moment of profound significance. Their attempt to shield themselves from God was out of fear of His judgement. But Moses' response gives insight into holy fear:

“Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” —Exodus 20:20

The fear of God compels us to yield and submit.

Submission recognizes a higher authority, a will that supersedes our own. Thus, fearing God is more than acknowledging His power, it’s taking a posture of reverence, one that leads to obedience.

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Unlike the generation at Mount Sinai who could not approach God and begged Moses to be their mediator, Christians today can draw near. We have been given a Mediator who has overcome the barriers that once kept humanity from approaching the Holy Mountain.

“You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm...But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem... to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant.” —Hebrews 12:18, 22–24

Jesus is the mediator for all humanity. He wiped away the sin of the world that made it impossible for humanity to come near to God. Through faith in Jesus, Christians have been washed clean spiritually, forgiven, and deemed worthy to come before His Holy presence.

The fear of God no longer keeps us away. Through Jesus, it brings us near.

“Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.” —Hebrews 12:28–29

To fear God is to recognize His power, revere His holiness, and submit to His authority. This is the beginning of wisdom. A soul that's been enlightened by the Gospel no longer shrinks back out of fear of being destroyed by God's power. Rather, the fear of God is a call to draw near to Him, to worship Him and to live in obedience to His good and perfect will. May the fear of the Lord be the foundation of your worship and heartfelt submission to the Creator of all things.