b'SCRIPTUREFear of GodBy PM Wynn GroveThe Lord executes justice, which includes depos- as though God were a tyrant who delights in punish-ing those who exalt themselves (Ps. 75:2-10). ing us. But neither should we wink at sin as though R ecent years have seen an increase in teaching He is awesome and deservesHewereakindlygrandfather thatemphasizesGodslove,forgivenessandto be feared (Ps. 76:4-12). who laughs at a little mischief. intimate presence with His people. These truths areAs both the Egyptians and the important to hear in modern society, where many He is worthy of our reflec- childrenofIsraelfoundout, people feel lonely, isolated, guilty, and insignificant.tionasweconsiderHis(Deut. 4:24). Our God is a con-But has the pendulum swung too far? Have somemanyactsthroughoutthesuming fireChristians perhaps become overly familiar in theirhistory of the Israelites (Ps.Reflect for a moment on your viewoftheLord,thinkingofHimnotjustasthe77:11-20). ownperceptionsofGod.Have friend of sinners, but as their personal buddy? Has He will judge those who doyoubecomeoverlyfamiliar there been a loss of respect for Gods authority andnotserveHim(Ps.78:32- towardHim?Ifso,consider holiness? 55). howyoumightbecomemore The Israelites repeatedly treated God with disre-Heislikenoneother.Werealistic in your understanding spect during their wilderness journey to the Promiseare to learn about Him in perhaps by meditating on the Lad(Ps78:40-41)TheyforgotthatjustasHisorder to fear His name (Ps.scriptures of Psalms mentioned power was able to punish the pagan Egyptians for86:8-11). above.Asoneofthewriters oppressing them, He was also ready to punish theirThe Hebrew midwives had ato the Hebrews remind us, we (Israelites) own disobedience and rebellion (Ps.78:42,healthy fear of God (Ex. 1:21),needtoserveGodwithrever-59-61). a fear that enabled then to riskence and holy fear (Heb.12:28-The Psalms calls us to maintain a high view of God: Pharaohswrath.Theyarea29).goodexampleofwhatChristMyfamily,whydoweseek toldHisdisciplesyearslaterPM Wynn thethingsthatwillnotpros-about not being afraid of thoseper our souls? Our everlasting When there is so muchwhokillthebody,butratherkilled, has power tospiritwillnotneedmoneyor to fear Him who, after He haspossessions, but we grasp at the things of the flesh. emphasis on Gods love andcast into hell (Luke 12:4-5). That fear of the LordI pray that all of Gods children will find peace on gave then courage, direction, and motivation to makeearth so that we may rest in heaven.mercy, is it possible that wetough choices and live with godly behavior. Today, when there is so much emphasis on Gods have forgotten that God islove, grace, and mercy, is it possible that we haveDr. PM Wynn & Pastor Lee Grove Jr., are the forgottenthatGodistobefeared?HetakesourFounders of Heavenly Sent Ministries in Castle to be feared? sin(s) very seriously; therefore, we need to take HisRock, CO. Contact info email: holiness very seriously. We need not cringe in horror,pmwynn9@msn.comBODY OF CHRIST NEWS OCTOBER 2021 3'