Fearing God

Psalm 33:18 (NLT) says,

The LORD watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love.

And Psalm 34:7 (NLT) says,

The angel of the Lord is a guard;

he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

And there are many, many similar passages in the Bible. Perhaps the most famous appears in Psalm 2:11 (NLT),

Serve the LORD with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Repeatedly, we're told to "fear" God, which might sound uncomfortable to modern readers. Should we really "fear" God? After all, doesn't Psalm 34:4 (NLT) read,

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.

He freed me from all my fears.

Well, yes, we better fear God. As stated in Psalm 144:3-4 (NLT),

O Lord, what are human beings that you should notice them,

mere mortals that you should think about them?

For they are like a breath of air;

their days are like a passing shadow.

Consider a being power enough to create the immensity of the universe. Such a powerful entity clearly doesn't need us and our rebellious, disobedient attitudes. Why doesn't God simply get rid of us? He certainly has the power to do so, and we should stand in fear at the very existence of that power. And, furthermore, we should be thankful that he doesn't exercise that power. 

Just waking up in the morning is a sign of God's patient mercy. Stand in fear, but let it be a form of thankful fear.