1 Samuel 12:18, 20-21 So Samuel called unto the Lord; and the Lord sent thunder and rain that say: and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel….And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart; And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.
As if to prove the truth of his words of warning and encouragement, Samuel prayed for the Lord to send thunder and rain. And He did! When the people heard it they greatly feared the Lord, and His prophet. He warned them not to turn aside from the Lord and encouraged them to remain faithful. The people responded with great fear. Fear means that they saw God as real and He meant what He said. In other words, they believed.
After hearing the Law in the thunder of his words, Samuel then spoke the Gospel saying, “Fear not!” Believe the reality of the One True God who does both: thunders judgment and rains mercy. The holiness of the God you are afraid of for just judgment on sin is the same God of Love who shows mercy and forgives sin. This is Gospel that saves us and gives the power to weak sinners to serve the Lord without turning aside to empty things that cannot help.
Fear has two sides: God is so real that He frightens us into faith, and His love is so real and close that all fear is gone and love takes over. This Gospel elicits the response of faithful service. We believe!