“That You May Be Feared”

In Psalm 130 we read,

“If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.”

We expect this verse to say something like, “But with you there is wrath, that you may be feared…” or “But with you there is power, that you may be feared.”

God’s wrath and power certainly should cause us to fear Him, but this verse doesn’t say that. It says,

“But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.”

And it says this for good reason… God’s forgiveness of us in Christ should absolutely astonish us. That those who, by God’s grace, turn from their sin and embrace Jesus as their Lord, Savior, and Treasure have all of their sins — past, present, and future separated from them as far as the east is from the west. Their sins are cast into the depths of the sea… and there is now no condemnation for them!

And as we stand in awe of this forgiveness … we ought to fear Him. We do not continue in sin that grace may abound, but we forsake our sin and walk in newness of life. 

So Cities Church, I exhort you this morning: Fear God because of His forgiveness.

This reminds us of our need to confess our sins…

Prayer of Confession

Heavenly Father, if you were to mark iniquities who could stand before you? Oh how quick we are to forget how much we have been forgiven. We are so quick to forget your mercy toward us, and that our redemption came at an infinite cost, the death of your beloved Son.

When we sin, Lord, we demonstrate that we truly do not understand how gracious you have been to us. We presume on the riches of your kindness, not knowing that your kindness is meant to lead us to repentance. We do not fear you as we ought, and this is a great evil.

We ask that you would lead us now, and convict us, by your Spirit, in this time of silent confession.