Which other scriptures emphasize the importance of fearing God's judgments? Setting the Scene—Psalm 119:120 “My flesh trembles in awe of You; I stand in fear of Your judgments.” The psalmist isn’t simply nervous; he’s overwhelmed by the sheer holiness and fairness of God’s verdicts. Scripture repeatedly echoes that same awe. Let’s walk through some of those voices together. Echoes from Sinai “When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning… they trembled and stood at a distance… ‘Do not let God speak to us, lest we die.’ …Moses replied, ‘For God has come to test you, so that the fear of Him may be before you, to keep you from sin.’” “And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God by walking in all His ways… For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God…” These passages tie reverent fear directly to obedience. God’s judgments aren’t arbitrary; they safeguard His covenant people from sin’s ruin. Reminders in Israel’s History • Joshua 24:14—“Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and faithfulness.” • 2 Chronicles 19:7—“Now then, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice or partiality or bribery with the LORD our God.” When leaders and people feared God’s judgments, justice flourished. When they didn’t, ruin followed—just scan Judges or Kings for confirmation. Wisdom Literature’s Candid Counsel • Job 28:28—“Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.” • Psalm 33:8—“Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere Him.” • Proverbs 1:7—“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” • Ecclesiastes 12:13-14—“Fear God and keep His commandments… For God will bring every deed into judgment.” These writers insist real wisdom starts with taking God’s verdicts seriously—because every deed will face His court. Prophetic Alarm Bells • Isaiah 8:13—“The LORD of Hosts is the One you shall regard as holy. Only He should be feared.” • Jeremiah 5:22—“Do you not fear Me? … I placed the sand as the boundary for the sea… yet this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart.” • Nahum 1:3-6—“The LORD is slow to anger but great in power; the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished… Who can withstand His indignation?” Prophets exposed a deadly pattern: when reverence eroded, injustice thrived and judgment soon followed. New Testament Continuity • Matthew 10:28—“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” • Acts 5:5-11—Ananias and Sapphira’s sudden deaths: “Great fear came over the whole church.” • Romans 11:20-22—“Do not be high-minded, but fear… Consider then the kindness and severity of God.” • 2 Corinthians 5:10-11—“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ… Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men.” • Hebrews 10:30-31—“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” • Revelation 14:7—“Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come.” From Jesus to John, the call is unchanged: healthy fear safeguards the soul and fuels faithful witness. Holding These Truths in Our Hearts • The fear Scripture commends is not cowering terror but awestruck realism: God’s judgments are certain, righteous, and final. • Such fear anchors obedience (Exodus 20), motivates holiness (2 Corinthians 5), and undergirds worship (Revelation 14). • When we tremble like the psalmist, we are not shrinking away from God; we’re drawing near on His terms, grateful for the grace that spares us through Christ while never downplaying the gravity of His throne. |
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