Fear or Reverence?

When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance.~Exodus 20:18

Do we fear God or reverence Him?  The dictionary describes fear as an unpleasant emotion.  It is a perception or belief that something or someone is going to hurt us.  Most rational people will back away from those things that they fear.  Fear can cause you to remain frozen in place and stuck in situations and circumstances that only do you harm.  

I have also observed that fear doesn't achieve the desired outcome.  Fear doesn't illicit or promote love.  Fear doesn't last and often corrupts other healthy emotions.  God does not want us to be afraid because He did not give us a spirit of fear ( 1 Timothy 1:7).  However, God wants us to reverence Him.

Reverence is having a deep respect or regard for someone or something.  Since God is not a thing, that means that when we reverence Him we are recognizing our position in relationship to Him.  We are firmly aware that He is our sovereign Lord.  We see His greatness and know that there is no God like Him.  We proclaim that He is the only God. ( 2 Samuel 7:22).

Reverence is a mindset and condition of the heart. We draw close to what we reverence.  We honor, admire, and appreciate God for being God.  We are not afraid because we have been given permission to approach the throne of grace ( Hebrews 4:16).  There is no pain here and no worries about harm because we know that God shows us mercy and undeserved favor.  We know that His plans are only to prosper us( Jeremiah 29:11). We know that His correction is for our good and to keep us from disaster.  

So yes, there are thunderings and lightening.  The trumpets are sounding, but those who reverence Him have nothing to fear. We do not have to stay at a distance.  We can draw near to God.  We can enter into relationship with Him and experience His perfect love.  Fear is about punishment and love is about redemption. 

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18

Father helps us to reverence You and not fear You.  May we draw close to You and learn of You.  Give us a heart to not fear others, but to love them.  Let us not use fear to try to control others, but rather may we bless them as You have blessed us.  Father You didn't have to save us, but You did.  Thank you.  In Jesus name. Amen