Today’s Devotional: “God’s Love is Frightening”

During the Welsh Revival, a Welshman was praying in English while still thinking in his native tongue.

When he began quoting Psalm 130:4, “But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared,” he stumbled as he searched for the right words. Eventually, he offered this translation.

“There is forgiveness with Thee, enough to frighten us.”

What a revelation. God’s loving kindness toward us, which forgives our sins, is so great that it’s frightening. God’s loving kindness in forgiving our sins is so great and so wonderful that it fills us with a love that is truly frightening.

This idea is not about being frightened by God, but about His love for us being so great that it literally takes our breath away.

Normally, when we contemplate our sin and transgression, the natural response is to become frightened of God’s punishment. This is not an unhealthy fear, however, because it keeps us in line in many ways. But this is not what the Psalmist is trying to convey.

The Apostle John said, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear is connected to punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)

Rather, it’s a love that recognizes what God has done for us by giving us His Son, Jesus Christ, to take our place and die the death we all deserve.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

This love is truly frightening because the last thing we want is to wound it through sin.

We truly serve an awesome God who loves and forgives us by sending His Son, Jesus, to die for us so that we can spend eternity with Him.

Lord, may Your loving kindness overwhelm us as we come to realize Your love for us.