Importance of Maintaining Awe of God in Times of Trouble
Maintaining awe of God is crucial in times of trouble, as it enables believers to trust in His sovereignty and providence. The biblical basis for this concept is rooted in passages such as Hebrews 12:28, which exhorts believers to serve God "acceptably, with reverence and awe" [1]. This reverence is linked to the fear of the Lord, described in Psalms 111:10 as "the beginning of wisdom" [2].
In times of affliction, believers are encouraged to turn to God in prayer, seeking comfort, deliverance, and preservation. Torrey's Topical Textbook cites numerous biblical references to support this, including Psalms 27:5-6 and 34:4,19, which highlight God's role as a refuge and deliverer [3]. The importance of perseverance and steadfastness is also emphasized, with sources such as Romans 12:12 urging believers to be "patient in tribulation" [4, 6].
The fear of falling into the hands of the living God is a recurring theme, with Hebrews 10:31 warning that it is "a fearful thing" to incur God's displeasure [5]. This fear is not paralyzing, but rather motivates believers to maintain their faith and trust in God, even in the face of adversity. As Adam Clarke notes on Hebrews 10:31, the "displeasure of an eternal, almighty Being" is a sobering reality that should prompt believers to remain faithful [8].
In interpreting the biblical call to perseverance, various traditions emphasize the importance of maintaining awe of God. For example, John Gill's commentary on Romans 12:12 highlights the connection between hope and patience in tribulation [6]. Similarly, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's commentary on Jeremiah 29:7 notes that true religion teaches patient submission, even in the face of adversity [7].
Sources
- Hebrews “Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can’t be shaken, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, -- Hebrews 12:28”
- Psalms “Psalms 111:10 (BSB) — The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding. His praise endures forever!”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted Saints — God is with -- Ps 46:5,7; Isa 43:2. God is a refuge and strength to -- Ps 27:5,6; Isa 25:4; Jer 16:19; Na 1:7. God comforts -- Isa 49:13; Jer 31:13; Mt 5:4; 2Co 1:4,5; 7:6. God preserves -- Ps 34:20. God delivers -- Ps 34:4,19; Pr 12:13; Jer 39:17,18. Christ is with -- Joh 14:18. Christ supports -- 2Ti 4:17; Heb 2:18. Christ comforts -- Isa 61:2; Mt 11:28-30; Lu 7:13; Joh 14:1; 16:33. Christ preserves -- Isa 63:9; Lu 21:18. Christ delivers -- Re 3:10. Should praise God -- Ps 13:5,6; 56:8-10; 57:6,7; 71:20-23. Should imitate Christ -- Heb 12:1-3; 1P”
- Romans “rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer; -- Romans 12:12”
- Hebrews “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. -- Hebrews 10:31”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 12:12: Rejoicing in hope,.... Of the glory of God, than the hope of which nothing can make a believer more cheerful in this world; the saints' joy is therefore called the "rejoicing of the hope", Heb 3:6. This is placed between serving the Lord, and being patient in tribulation; for nothing tends more to animate the people of God to a cheerful serving of him, or to make them more patient under afflictions, than a hope of being for ever with the Lord: patient in tribulation; whilst the saints are in this world they must expect tribulation; their way to heaven lies through ”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 29:7: (Ezr 6:10; Rom 13:1; Ti1 2:2). Not only bear the Babylonian yoke patiently, but pray for your masters, that is, while the captivity lasts. God's good time was to come when they were to pray for Babylon's downfall (Jer 51:35; Psa 137:8). They were not to forestall that time. True religion teaches patient submission, not sedition, even though the prince be an unbeliever. In all states of life let us not throw away the comfort we may have, because we have not all we would have. There is here a foretaste of gospel love towards enemies (Mat 5:44).”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 10:31: It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God - To fall into the hands of God is to fall under his displeasure; and he who lives for ever can punish for ever. How dreadful to have the displeasure of an eternal, almighty Being to rest on the soul for ever! Apostates, and all the persecutors and enemies of God's cause and people, may expect the heaviest judgments of an incensed Deity: and these, not for a time, but through eternity.”