Reverential Fear
Soren Kierkegaard was a Russian philosopher who coined the phrase “fear and trembling”. The context of his explication is when the creation is in the presence of its Creator…when mankind approaches the Presence of God. There is a spirit and reaction of fear and trembling that engulfs the creation because of the magnitude and magnificence of the Creator, Himself. The creation is not approaching God with a feeling of being afraid but instead of reverence to the degree of fear. I feared my grandfather. I fear my mother. I fear God. Then the presence of God is sooooooooo remarkable that it makes me nervous. I am nervous because I am not worthy. I am nervous because God is so powerful. I am nervous because God already knows all. I am nervous because God could strike me dead if He wanted to. I am nervous because God is perfect and holy.
So, fear and trembling is the expected state of the believer in the presence of God.
It is also the required state of the believer in order to serve God and to rejoice. Fear makes you sensitive, and trembling is a reflection/indication of your connectedness. Our service and worship needs to have a sincerity reflective of Kierkegaardian “Fear and Trembling”.
