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OME things are terrible. Technically, this means they in
some way bring terror. Yet, over the
years the English word "terrible" has been polluted and diluted until
we even use it casually to describe a flat cola as it sits warm and fizzless in
the hot sun on a picnic table. That is
hardly the same meaning that David intended in Psalm 66:3 & 5 where he
described God as a "terrible" deity.
David meant that God is worthy to be feared and to be revered. He is awesome and dreadful. He should be honored and respected. And indeed, for those who are not under the
blood and in His favor, meeting Him will be a terrifying experience.
So, God is great and wonderful... His abilities and
accomplishments are amazing. And, if we
are against Him, instead of with him, His positively amazing and wonderfully
appealing qualities seem to morph before our eyes into frighteningly
troublesome characteristics. Hence,
theologically, fear has two faces... one with a worshipful smile, and another
twisted into a horrified scream. Whether
we are obedient or rebellious determines which brand of fear fits our features. But God is the same in either case.
Of course, even when we are walking with Him, His ways can
sometimes be terrifying. Psalm 66:10-12
tells us that sometimes he tries us like silver (with heat) and lays affliction
on us. Sometimes His ways are terrible (terrifying)
in our eyes, even when He is doing us good and exercising us with love and
approval (Hebrews 11:36-38).
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