Afraid of God

Whilst fear is a normal human emotion – a critical protection mechanism in a life-and-death situation – the sort of fear that comes from having done the wrong thing and knowing that the consequences are headed your way … well, that's the sort of fear you want to avoid, right? Have you ever been picked up by the police for speeding? I remember years ago when it happened to me seeing the flashing lights in my rear vision mirror … and the sense of dread at what was coming when I pulled over. As I said, not nice . But that feeling of fear when we know we've done the wrong thing is as old as time itself. It's one that Adam and Eve experienced for the very first time in human history, when back in the Garden of Eden, despite having had free run of the place, they'd eaten the fruit from that one tree that God had forbidden them. Genesis 3:8-10 During the cool part of the day, the LORD God was walking in the garden. The man and the woman heard him, and they hid among the trees in the garden. The LORD God called to the man and said, "Where are you?" The man said, "I heard you walking in the garden, and I was afraid. I was naked, so I hid." And that's the very reason our misdeeds, our (let's call them for what they are) sins, separate us from God. So next time you're tempted – no matter how alluring the bait may be – remember, there are consequences. Fear. That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.