For all of my short life, I had read Job 41 dozens of times without making the connection or relation between God and what He was saying. For many like me, we struggle with such passages that talk of the "fear of the Lord" or "the people trembled at the presence of the Lord" as being ironic and even unacceptable. (We who choose to view God's Word as such are the ironic ones.)
God, in verse 10 of Job 41 explains why He brought up the description of Leviathan:
"No one is so fierce that he would dare stir him up. Who then is able to stand against Me?"
If we would be terrified or awed of the powerful and mighty things that have been created, why do we think it should be so difficult to be awed or terrified by the God who created them?
That being said, we must not mistake or confuse fearing God with fearing His wrath. We must not endorse and applaud those who preach God's wrath (and their prideful condemnation) as a way of influencing people to Him. The wrath of God and the fear of God are two separate things that He Himself has made it clear in His Word that should not be the root reason as to why we should honor Him by fearing Him.
"If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared." ~Psalm 130:3-4
"But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?" ~Romans 2:2-4
"Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine." ~Psalm 33:18-19
"The fear of the Lord leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil." ~Proverbs 19:23
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Different Things God is teaching Me
SpiritualWhen God shows His love, mercy, forgiveness, longsuffering, and grace towards you...it shouldn't stop with you. You are destined to pass it on to others and reflect faithfulness and devotion back to Him as the Divine Spouse. Cover Art by Maria Oosth...
