The date: October 31, 1991.
The place: Juno Beach, Florida–our home at the time.
The event: The “Halloween Swell,” when monstrous waves nearly twenty feet high broke close to the Atlantic shore and pounded the beach, generated by a powerful “perfect storm” off the coast of New England.
Our family stood on high ground with a gathering crowd, watching the surreal display of awesome power and strength. (Such waves can exert forces over 5,000 pounds per square foot.*)
[Watch a video from an observer on the beach that day:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnQJHFEDxyo.]
About fifty yards north, one particularly large wave crashed ashore and washed over the dunes. Several cars parked on the beach road (A1A) actually lifted from the pavement and drifted toward the middle of the road. You’d think they were made of balsa wood.
Understand: by then the wave had lost most of its power, but it still packed a wallop.
We experienced a mix of serious respect and breathtaking wonder that afternoon. Those waves could have crushed us if we’d stood too close.
Yet there was mesmerizing beauty too as the water rose high in a graceful curve, formed a foamy crest, then glided toward shore to crash explosively into the sand.
The waves we witnessed that day were much taller!
Such imagery may help us understand a phrase used over one hundred times in the Bible: the fear of God. One example, Ecclesiastes 12:13: “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”
Such fear does not mean terror for a Being with infinite strength, but rather serious reverence and respect for who he is: the all-powerful One of the universe (just as we respected the power of those waves that day).
On the other hand, the fear of God also includes awe and breathtaking wonder.
Think of the heart-swell while gazing upward at his innumerable stars . . .
. . . downward into clear, tropical waters where brightly-colored fish and coral dazzle . . .
A parrotfish feeding on algae
. . . into the eyes of a newborn baby . . .
. . . or outward upon his immense and powerful ocean (especially as it heaves tons of water on the shore).
In such moments we can’t help but cry out to the Maker of all wonders, “God, you are so incredibly magnificent! There are no boundaries to your greatness” (Psalm 145:3 MSG, not a direct quote).
Some might think God directs us to fear him as a means of self-gratification, as if he takes prideful satisfaction in our admiration and praise. No, scripture makes clear: his instruction that we fear him leads to blessing for us.
The book of Proverbs alone lists at least twelve benefits:
- Wisdom and understanding (9:10)—because these qualities originate with God (Job 12:13)
- Strong confidence (14:26 ESV)—in the character and promises of God
- A fountain of life (14:27)—a continual prosperity of spirit
- God’s trustworthy instruction (15:33) as we grow in our relationship with him
- Avoidance of evil (16:6)—under the influence of God’s grace and goodness
- True [fulfilling] life, contentment, and ultimate deliverance from evil (19:23)
- Riches [of mind and spirit] and honor [from God himself one day] (Proverbs 22:4)
- Happiness (Proverbs 28:14 HCSB)!
And consider this:
The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.
–Oswald Chambers
So how do we cultivate such a strong fear of God?
Possibilities include:
- Feeding our confidence on scripture each day
- Centering our thoughts frequently on God’s attributes, including his love, forgiveness, power, wisdom, and goodness
- Looking for evidence of his gracious involvement in our lives and expressing continual gratitude
- Spending time with God-fearing people and learning from them
- Seeking to obey his wise ways
Forest Landscape by Peter Monsted, 1908
As we stood on the beach that day in 1991, a healthy fear made us choose a safe distance from a power that could have killed us.
As we contemplate the truths about the healthiest fear of all, the fear of God, we’re also faced with a choice. Only this time it’s a decision to move in close with reverence and awe, toward a Power that gives us life (John 10:10).
*https://www.sky-chaser.com/perfstrm.htm
Image credits: http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.pickpik.com (2); http://www.commons.wikimedia.com; http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.publicdomainpictures.com; http://www.picryl.com.
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The fear of God is most certainly the beginning of wisdom, Nancy, and I do love how you have shown all of us the grand, unmatched ways that God blesses us through our reverence, awe and respect for Him. What a mighty God we serve! And that video of the wave wall? Yikes! That was more than a tad scary, but it is a great illustration of what can happen when we aren’t paying attention to the Lord. Blessings!
Oh, thank you Martha for adding that insight from Hope’s experience that day, comparing it to what happens when we aren’t paying attention to the Lord. Life DEFINITELY goes better with God! (I know you agree!)
Well explained, Nancy! That the “fear of God” is a good and even vital thing, is difficult for people in our modern culture to grasp. But all the more important for that very reason.
Thank you, Mitch. Yes, a bit of humility is a prerequisite to fearing God and enjoying all his subsequent blessings. Not a lot of people in our current culture aspire to that quality, do they! But giving up our autonomy is SO worth the benefits of acquiescing to his wise ways. “With God life is an endless hope. Without God, life is a hopeless end”–Bill Bright. I know you agree!
A beautiful post, Nancy. Nature is an awsome force not to be taken for granted! Great photos.
Thank you, Dwight. You are so right: we mustn’t take for granted the awesome force of nature any more than we would take for granted the awesome force of God!
Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom- I have only understood that more and more as I have walked with God over the years. I have come across some at church who struggle to understand what it means to fear the Lord.
Yes, with experience comes wisdom, and that applies to learning the benefits of fearing God. As we demonstrate respectful obedience and express heartfelt awe, we discover deep and long-lasting peace, joy, and contentment that can be experienced NO other way. I know you agree, Manu!
I vividly remember fearing God from a very young age. It kept me on the straight and narrow! Wonderful post, Nancy. 😁🙏✝️🙏
Thank you, Nancy. How delightful for you to keep on the straight and narrow from a young age. I have to admit to wobbling a bit!! Praise God, though, he never gave up on me but kept teaching me, disciplining me, and guiding me to see the wisdom of HIS ways.
I enjoyed this so much, Nancy. I’m saving it to study all your verse references. Thank you!
Praise God, Dana, you found this post meaningful. May God bless your study of the scriptures mentioned here. Do come back and share any insightful revelations he reveals to you!
I will, thank you!
First of all what a video that was. I felt the fear!! And a great post bringing us back to God. what a witness to the Creators power! and love the Oswald quote too.
Thank you, Jean. I too was struck by the truth of Oswald Chamber’s quote. The Bible tells us not to fear (Isaiah 41:10 is a well-known example); his quote offers strong, logical affirmation!
Very inspiring post! When we ponder the wonder of God’s creation, we are awed by the mystery of it all. It is beyond our comprehension, and that is as it should be. We come to an understanding that we must trust God completely and fully. His Word is true and our own understanding is so limited. Each day, we start anew, taking His hand, trusting His guidance.
Amen, Linda. Years ago I heard someone say that if God wasn’t beyond our understanding, he wouldn’t be worthy of our worship. That was impactful for me as I struggled with the question of why he allowed good people to suffer. Our understanding is indeed limited–for now. One day we’ll understand! For now, I find comfort in this quote from John Flavel: “It may support your heart to consider that in these troubles God is performing that work in which your soul would rejoice–if you did see the design of it” (Keeping the Heart).
Yes, “fear is the beginning of wisdom” and thank you for the Oswald Chambers quote. The video was amazing and I can’t imagine the fear of those powerful waves crashing on shore. Thank you Nancy for your inspiring posts!
And thank you, Pam, for your encouragement. Praise God you find inspiration here! I too love that Chambers quote. It’s a good one to keep in mind as the troubles of this world seem to increase.
What a wonderful word painting you gave us, such a poignant illustration! And the Oswald Chambers quote is so fitting!
Thank you, Lisa. Praise God for his inspiration! As I mentioned to Pam above, the Chambers quote seems especially applicable these days as the troubles of this world seem to increase.
This Oswald Chambers quote was especially meaningful to me today: “The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.”
If we allow ourselves we can become extremely fearful of the way this country is moving toward communism. I appreciate that we are not doomed to a future of suffering if we truly belong to our Lord. A bright and beautiful eternity awaits those who fear God and stand in awe of His power, sacrifice, grace, and love.
I agree–this notion that government-run everything can solve all our problems has never worked and never will. Idealists who cling to this idea need to learn about the living conditions and final collapse of the U.S.S.R, East Germany, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Ethiopia, Venezuela, etc. They need to learn what life is like in Cuba, China, and North Korea. I pray that wisdom prevails in the midterm election. Meanwhile, we cling to our hope in CHRIST, not in politicians. As you say, Cheri, “A bright and beautiful eternity awaits!” That alone can “keep us singing till the break of day” (From “Sing Hosanna”)!
On the radio today there was a woman explaining exactly what to expect from a Communist nation because she lived in one such country. The people are promised free everything but what they experience is being controlled. It’s all about control of every aspect of a person’s life. We are so blessed to have been exposed to the gift of Salvation at such a young age. Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow!!!
Are you familiar with Rod Drehr’s book, Live Not By Lies (published in 2022)? He interviewed a number of people who escaped Communist countries to live here or came after the collapse of the Iron Curtain. For years they’ve seen signs here in America of drift toward “soft” totalitarianism. These immigrants warn about our constitutional rights being eroded, the marginalization of Christians and conservatives, and more. They also warn against listening to promises that can and will never be fulfilled. / What a blessing indeed to have known Christ all these years, to know that whatever crises we may have to face in the future, he will see us through, just as he has in the past!
God’s fingerprints are all over his creation, and I think we lose something when we don’t get outside to bear witness to his majesty. We just had a fun island excursion last weekend with a 15-ish mile ferry ride involved, and even though the sea was calm, I was still taken aback by the stretch of water from horizon to horizon. TT
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Agreed! Time outdoors does contribute to our well-being, I think. Your island excursion sounds like the perfect celebration of summer in Maine. When the weather allows, I take my quiet time outdoors to our deck. Also in the afternoon, when the sun goes behind the neighbor’s oak tree, I can slip out there again to work on a blog post or respond to other bloggers, as I’m doing at this moment. We’re enjoying temps in the 70s with low humidity–heavenly! Love being surrounded by the wonders of God’s creation!