Ever wondered about this line from “Amazing Grace”? “’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.” Grace teaches my heart to fear? What’s so scary about grace?
David found the answers to these questions when he brought the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem. It was a festive, noisy celebration, the kind that can fog a man’s mind (2 Samuel 6:5). When the oxen stumbled and the cart lurched, Uzzah reached out to steady the ark and died on the spot (2 Samuel 6:6-7).
David was angry and afraid. He realized the ark was dangerous because God was there (2 Samuel 6:8-9). But God, who gives life itself (John 17:3), chose to bring death to those who violated His glory. If God is the only source of life, then we must fear the thought of losing the privilege to love Him.
Theologian Karl Barth explained, “We must fear Him above all things because we may love Him above all things.” Barth reasoned that since loving God is life, then, “If we are not permitted to love Him and if we do not love Him, we can only expect the cessation of our existence at His hands.”
We’re not doing God a favor when we pray and dig into His Word. He’s doing us the favor, for He’s granting us access to the only path to life. God won’t keep the door open forever, but “he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed” (Acts 17:31). That day is not here yet, so there’s still time. Don’t ignore “this marvelous gift of God’s kindness . . . . Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2). If you love God, you’ll also reverently fear Him.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Samuel 20:1-42
More:
Read 1 John 4:7-21 to learn how God’s love for us calms our fears.
Next:
Do you fear or love God more? How are these two emotions connected, so that one rises or falls with the other?
Gary Shultz on March 30, 2015 at 6:19 am
OK, my thoughts would be, you are on the seesaw of Christian essence. I like and remember Mark Lowery’s comment “anything above burning in hell is a privilege” of course that was meant to be a radical statement, nevertheless true. Then to mention Jesus called His disciples “friends”. Back to the seesaw, if we have proper balance things work smoothly, we are still taken by the awesomeness and might, but by the direct result of His grace we may respectfully enjoy being children and friends. A deeply respectful relationship. Thanks
Mike Wittmer on March 30, 2015 at 9:58 am
Thanks, Gary. I wonder if opposite extremes works better than balance. I’m not sure I want to be balanced. I’d rather grasp both extremes with both hands. For instance, I want to enjoy as much earthly pleasure as possible and live for as much heavenly purpose too. Rather than a seesaw, what if we imagine the tension springs on a trampoline. We need springs on every side, all the way around, to keep the canvas taut.
Tom Felten on March 30, 2015 at 10:48 am
So true, Mike. I’m reminded of what Solomon—a man who had it all in the eyes of the world—once penned: “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline” (Proverbs 1:7). A reverent fear reflects an understanding of the deep love God has for us and also His holiness.
mike harrington on March 30, 2015 at 1:27 pm
As a Christian first, and a pastor second, the death of Uzzah in 2nd Samuel is one of the most problematic passages in the OT for me. It may be second only to the story of Job in the sense that as hard as I try, even when considering the cultural context of both stories, I just can’t make sense of how God responds in either case. “Lord, help my unbelief” (or at least my clouded understanding)
Mike Wittmer on March 30, 2015 at 2:16 pm
Good questions, Mike. Part of the answer certainly lies in knowing our place. We are not God, and so there will always be mystery when we contemplate Him and His ways. It also helps that we’re on the other side of the cross. This week we remember the greatest evil that has ever occurred, and it happened to God Himself. The love and holiness displayed there means I can trust God with the questions I don’t yet get, and maybe never will.
sercher on March 30, 2015 at 3:44 pm
“Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. (1 John 4:18)”
Allowing a certain amount of godly fear in us should not block us from getting close to God. It reminds me of “keeping our lampes burning” (Luke 12:35) where the servants were afraid to miss the coming of their Master for the Feast. So should we be prepared, too.
Winn Collier on April 4, 2015 at 8:35 pm
If you’ve ever encountered love that confounds, surprises and overwhelms, there is a kind of terror in it, an awesomeness that you know you have encountered something beyond you.