God's Perspective on Being Perceived as Terrifying Sometimes

When we describe God as terrifying, it's essential to consider the biblical context and the nuances of God's character. In Isaiah 64:1-3, the prophet cries out for God to rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might tremble at His presence, illustrating the awe-inspiring and fearsome nature of God. Similarly, in Psalm 111:9, we read that God is "awesome" and "holy," inspiring a sense of reverence and even fear in those who approach Him. However, as we delve deeper into Scripture, we find that this fear is not one of dread or terror, but rather a fear that arises from a deep understanding of God's holiness and our own sinfulness, as seen in Isaiah 6:1-5, where the prophet is undone by the vision of God's glory.

In fact, the Bible often speaks of the "fear of the Lord" as a positive trait, one that is essential for wisdom, knowledge, and a right relationship with God, as Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10 attest. This fear is not about cowering in terror, but about recognizing God's majesty, power, and authority, and responding with humility, reverence, and obedience. When we call God terrifying, we must be careful not to imply that He is capricious, cruel, or malevolent, for this would be a gross misrepresentation of His character. Rather, we should strive to understand and convey the sense of awe, wonder, and reverence that arises from contemplating God's greatness, as seen in Psalm 145:3, where the psalmist declares that God's greatness is unsearchable.

As we reflect on God's character, we are reminded that He is a God of love, mercy, and compassion, who desires a deep and intimate relationship with His people, as expressed in 1 John 4:8 and 16. When we approach Him with reverence and fear, we are not motivated by a desire to escape His wrath, but rather by a desire to honor and worship Him, to acknowledge His sovereignty and majesty, and to respond to His love and grace with gratitude and obedience, as seen in Romans 11:33-36, where the apostle Paul breaks out in doxology, marveling at the depths of God's wisdom and knowledge. In this sense, when we call God terrifying, we are not expressing a negative emotion, but rather a profound sense of reverence and awe, a recognition of the vast chasm between God's holiness and our own sinfulness, and a deep longing to be transformed by His grace and to reflect His glory, as seen in 2 Corinthians 3:18.