My ears fill with words from dawn to well past dark. Along with work, I take in thoughts and opinions from newsfeeds and sportscasters and social media pundits. On Sundays I hear from my pastor and throughout the week I enjoy various authors. Millions and millions of words.

But very few words really matter.

You should marry that girl. Those were good words for me to hear. Go to college. Start a family. Give generously. More words of wisdom for my benefit.

Jesus told his disciples, Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Years earlier David wrote, The words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.

In our world of words, only a few stand out. Wonderfully, a book of lasting significance sits within arm’s reach. The words within prove trustworthy. When I open my Bible I enjoy words that last, and discover a path towards flourishing and hope.

Very few words really matter, so it does me well to pay attention to those that do.

Mark 13 & Psalm 12 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Andreas Fickl

When frightened about situations outside our control, we pray (believers and skeptics alike).

Many times I’ve prayed for a hedge of protection around a person or group of people, which refers to Job 1:10, when Satan complained about the Lord’s hedge safeguarding Job and his household. Other times I turn to the Lord as a fortress, like in Psalm 18: The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. I’ve often heard people extend travel mercies to one another before a trip.

But I’ve never prayed for the terror of God to go before me. At least not yet.

The Lord sent Jacob and his family to build an alter and worship him. However, Jacob’s sons had recently slaughtered dozens of men to avenge the rape of their sister. These new instructions involved traveling through the territory of those who looked to harm Jacob’s family and initiate a cycle of violence and revenge.

But the Lord shut down any potential problems: Then they set out, and the terror of God fell on the towns all around them so that no one pursued them.

What was this terror of God? What did it feel like? Did people see Jacob’s band coming and panic? Or were they afraid to come outside at all? Maybe rumors spread and a foreboding settled on the land. Regardless, the Lord shut down the violent tendencies bubbling among Jacob’s enemies.

Different than a stationary hedge or fortress, the terror of God moved with Jacob. I wonder if Jacob and his family understood what was happening? Because what would yield more peace of mind than knowing a divine dread surrounded them?

Praying for the terror of God sounds outlandish. Might such prayers unleash wild and terrifying results? But in certain areas of the world, where Christians are persecuted and killed, this seems more than appropriate.

I have a feeling we should ask for it more often.

Genesis 35 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 

I recently read of a young person going through a health scare who responded with the statement, what have I ever done to deserve this? Unfortunately, health problems and family losses and job failures come whether we deserve them or not. Such is the way of a fallen world.

It’s easy for me to blame my frustrations on the Lord. Why doesn’t he do something? God feels absent in the midst of my suffering. But while God may be quiet, he is not absent. King David wrote of the Lord’s heart toward our world:

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

God’s compassion covers all—devout followers as well as hardened opponents. The earth and everything in it attracts the Lord’s favor and concern.

The good name of the Lord gets bandied about by those using it against one other. It’s tempting to claim a favored status with the Lord, believing he should bless me abundantly and withhold blessings from those who disagree with me.

But thankfully the Lord moves in ways higher and wiser than mine. In the meantime I enjoy his goodness, whether I deserve it or not.

Psalm 145 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Anne Nygård

Of the many names used for God in the Bible, one of the most interesting is the Fear, found only in Genesis 31. When making a pact with his father-in-law, Jacob took an oath in the name of the Fear of his father Isaac.

Later Moses taught his people to fear God:

And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good? (Deuteronomy 10:12-13).

Fear in this case brings mixed feelings of respect and dread. It only takes a cursory reading of the Bible to know one cannot remain flippant about the Lord.

Jesus reminded his listeners about such fear:

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28).

Fearing the Lord leads to thinking of the Lord with reverence and awe. Should we be frightened of the Lord? Yes, at times, because he holds our eternal destiny in his hands. Should we find comfort in the Lord? Yes, at all times, because he is good and compassionate and merciful and holds our eternal destiny in his hands.

Fear the Lord. Let the wonderment found in God lead you to serve him, to care for your neighbors and love your enemies. Because a proper fear of the Lord leads you and me straight into his goodness and mercy.

Genesis 31 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Alfred Aloushy