But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. (Psalm 130:4 ESV)
Fear
There is a small town somewhere in Ohio in which a factory manufactures a certain kind of computer chip. For various reasons, no other factor is able to produce that chip. It is a necessary component in cell phones.
That small factory carries a lot of clout.
No one wants to offend them. Because technically, they are the only source of cell phones.
The only source of forgiveness is God. Only the Father has the authority to forgive. Only the Son procures forgiveness though His life, and death, and life. Only the Spirit has the power to apply the Son’s work to our hearts.
If we need forgiveness, we need God.
And oh, we need forgiveness.
Fear, here, is not being afraid of God’s power. Fear, here, is being afraid of losing our only source of forgiveness.
The good and ironic news is, that His forgiveness is what guarantees we will not lose Him!