"All dreads other than reverent dread that are proffered to us, though they come under the colour of holiness yet are not so true."
Julian of Norwich (Ch. 74)
Are we to fear God? The Old Testament speaks of the "fear of the Lord" that we are to have before God, but what does that mean in light of Christ's revelation of the Father as Perfect Love? We are not meant to be afraid of God, for God, Perfect Love, casts out fear. God doesn't want us to be afraid of Him, fearful and cowering, worried that He might destroy or hurt us or rage against us. He is great, and mighty and amazing, and we are small, and weak and humble. So it can be easy to slip into feelings of fear, especially fear of God's wrath or punishment. But this kind of fear is exactly what God, Perfect Love, casts out! Our God is pure Love and love does not harm. God would never harm us, for He is the One who keeps us from harm, rescues us from harm, and heals us from harm. Our God is pure Love and Love doesn't punish. Love isn't vindictive or retributive. Love is forgiving, patient and kind. Love puts up with anything and bears with everything. Love never goes into a rage but is instead always gentle and understanding. Love never rejects but always accepts and embraces us.
The fear of the Lord mentioned in the Bible must mean something else, then. Fear of the Lord, or "reverent dread," simply means being in awe and wonder at the greatness of God's goodness and love. He is so much more loving, kind, gentle, understanding, and friendly than we could possibly imagine, and when we experience and relate to this wonderful God, Father, and Friend, we have a sense of awe at how good He really is. It is mind-blowing. It is inspiring. It is full of wonder! It is not fear that we feel in the sense of being afraid but reverence and awe that One so great is so good to us and so loving to us! It is a reverence that leads to spontaneous worship, thanks, and praise to our God. It is a reverence that draws us to God irresistibly rather than making us cower or run away. That is "reverent fear" and the only kind of fear we ever have when we experience this wonderful God who is All-Love.
"Love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love."
1 John 4:18 (NLT)
"They will come with awe to the Lord and to his goodness.."
Hosea 3:5 (CSB)
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, and his love endures forever.
Psalm 107:1 (NIV)
A Prayer: I am in awe of Your beauty, goodness, greatness and love! I praise Your name!