In Psalm 130 we find the Bible’s best reason to fear God. In verse 4 the Psalmist says, “But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.” It’s because God forgives us that we should be compelled to fear him. 

Yes, He’s grand. Yes, He is Creator, He’s all-knowing. But He’s also redeemer. He’s forgiven you. In the previous verse, the Psalmist asks a rhetorical question, if the Lord kept a record of sins, who could stand? No one. Yet, God isn’t like that. He is slow to anger and abounding in love. 

This was evident for the nation of Israel, and then Jesus went to the cross offering the ultimate sacrifice for our sin, and in doing so he solidified how forgiveness and fear go together. Notice at the end of the verse, our action is to serve God. We evangelize, we disciple, we feed the poor, we care for the sick. 

We do this as a result of fearing God. However, you’ll only fear God, if you know you’ve been forgiven. The “trajectory” of gospel - what it brings - this can only reach fulfillment after you’ve first been impacted by the “means” of the gospel - what it cost.