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Scripture: Psalm 97
Song: Lord, I Believe God’s
The average man has 2.21 phobias. The average woman has 3.55. By the way, men are all afraid of being thought cowards, so the averages balance. Several phenomena mentioned in Psalm 97 constitute humanity’s most common phobias.
A ceraunophobiac is afraid of thunder. Astraphobia is the dread of lightning. Nyctophobia is the fear of darkness. To have pyrophobia is to be morbidly scared of fire.
Isn’t it interesting that we have no clinical name to describe a pathological fear of God? Yet He is the maker of lightning, thunder, darkness and fire. Men are impressed with these expressions of His power—even to the point of morbid dread. But the fear of the Lord is far too scarce.
The thunderclap is God’s way of clearing His throat and telling you that He’s in the room. The lightning bolt is His way of giving you a buzz and a reminder that He’s in charge. Clouds and darkness veil God’s throne and caution against approaching His Highness too casually. Fire is His instrument of judgment and should kindle in your mind reflections of Hell and designs for its avoidance.
All of these exhibitions are signs that the Lord reigns. They’re for your good. To arrest you. To cause you to consider God. Listen. Look. Learn. God’s trying to get your attention. Don’t ignore Him. A healthy fear of Him quiets all other fears.
Jason Moore
