When I was a little kid I was always afraid of the dark. Let me clarify that, I was especially afraid of the dark when I was alone. I was about 4 years old when I was bestowed with my own room in my grandmother's house. It was a big house and on the creepy side. If the TV was not on when I was falling asleep... I would lie awake for hours because I heard various sounds and noises that would freak me out! Too much for a 4-year-old! To this day I still get scared when I am in a house all by myself and it is dark. I am always listening for noises and prepared to defend myself if need be!
I think all of us are afraid of something. To be sure, there are many things in this world to fear. With the possibility of natural disasters, terrorist attacks, wars, muggings, and a variety of other things.... our world is dangerous. Compile all those images running through your mind with the Biblical principle of fearing the Lord. The question that might come up in your mind is... why would I want to fear God??? Shouldn't I see God as a refuge to run to when I am afraid?
For sure, that is also a Biblical image of God. He is our refuge, our ever present hope in times of trials. However, if that image is not balanced with an understanding that God is bigger than anything we could possibily fear in this world, we do not have a correct view of God. He is God over everything and all things hold together because of him. We were created for his glory (Is. 43:7) and are here on this earth to make him famous and draw people to him. God is a God of love, justice, goodness, and... wrath. The latter is an image that we don't like to talk about but it's true. God is a God who punishes sin and does not delight in wickedness.
Scripture tells us that if we seek the Lord like "hidden treasure," then "you will understand the fear of the Lord (Prov. 2:5)." The simple fact is this: as we draw closer to God... we see how holy he is. This is a truth that John and Moses knew too well. John was ushered into the throneroom of God in Revelation 4 and Moses was in the presence of God in Exodus 33. Both left changed, with a right understanding of exactly who God is. He is a God who is so holy that he cannot look upon sin... but is so gracious that he sent his only son to save us from wrath. He is a God whom we should healthily fear.
In my own life.... I find myself being more afraid of things of this world than God. The truth is... God is in control of everything in this world. It is not my boss I should fear... but the God who is in control of every situation. It is not a fear where I want to run from God, rather it is a fear where I understand how powerful he is. And that is comforting, because it means that nothing can defeat God. He is sovereign and in control of everything. As I look to the future, with uncertainty, I desire to draw near to God and continue to understand what it means to fear him. Because, strangely to us mortals, as we continue to fear God we will find comfort, strength, and wisdom.
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