Which other scriptures highlight God's awe-inspiring presence and power? Setting the Scene: Psalm 76:7 “You alone are to be feared. Who can stand before You when You are angry?” God’s holiness radiates such force that no created being can remain casual in His presence. The rest of Scripture echoes this same thunderous truth. Awe in the Psalms • Psalm 33:8-9 — “Let all the earth fear the LORD… For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.” • Psalm 89:6-7 — “God is greatly feared in the council of the holy ones; awesome above all who surround Him.” • Psalm 97:2-5 — Fire, lightning, trembling earth, and mountains melting “at the presence of the LORD.” • Psalm 104 (whole psalm) — skies stretched like a tent, winds His messengers, foundations laid so the earth should never be moved. Majestic Acts in Israel’s History • Exodus 15:11 — “Who is like You—majestic in holiness, revered with praises, performing wonders?” • Deuteronomy 4:24 — “The LORD your God is a consuming fire.” • 1 Chronicles 29:11 — “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty.” • 2 Chronicles 20:6 — “In Your hand are power and might, and no one can stand against You.” Thundering Voices of the Prophets • Isaiah 6:1-3 — Seraphim cry “Holy, holy, holy,” the temple shakes, and thresholds tremble. • Isaiah 66:1-2 — Heaven is His throne, earth His footstool; the humble tremble at His word. • Nahum 1:5-6 — Mountains quake, rocks shatter before His wrath. • Habakkuk 3:3-6 — Splendor covers the heavens, everlasting ways shake nations. • Amos 4:13 — He “forms the mountains… treads on the heights of the earth.” • Daniel 4:34-35 — No one can restrain His hand; He does as He pleases with heaven and earth. • Malachi 1:14 — “I am a great King… My name is to be feared among the nations.” New Testament Revelations of the Same Glory • Matthew 17:5-6 — At the Transfiguration the disciples fall facedown in terror beneath the cloud of divine voice. • Luke 5:8-9 — Peter drops to his knees: “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man.” • Acts 9:3-4 — Saul collapses before the blinding brilliance of the risen Christ. • Hebrews 12:28-29 — “Worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” • Revelation 1:17-18 — John falls “like a dead man” before the glorified Son. • Revelation 4:11 — Heavenly elders declare, “Worthy are You… to receive glory and honor and power.” Themes That Emerge • Unmatched holiness — no rival compares (Exodus 15:11; Psalm 89:6-7). • Overwhelming power — creation trembles, mountains melt, seas part (Psalm 97:2-5; Habakkuk 3:6). • Consuming fire of judgment — righteous wrath purges evil (Deuteronomy 4:24; Nahum 1:6). • Universal dominion — heaven and earth are His throne room (Isaiah 66:1; Daniel 4:34-35). • Transforming presence — human pride melts into humble worship (Luke 5:8; Revelation 1:17). Living in the Light of His Awe • Stand in reverent fear, never trivializing His majesty. • Worship with whole-hearted gratitude, knowing the One who shakes mountains also secures our salvation. • Obey promptly, recognizing that the Lord who commands storms commands our steps. • Live confidently, trusting the God before whom “no one can stand” to shield those who take refuge in Him (Psalm 76:7; Nahum 1:7). |
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