Original Entry:
March 17, 2009
McMinnville, OR
Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that
his glory may dwell in our land. Psalm
85:9
When he showed up he
was clearly shaken. His childhood church was great at handing out the law, but
not so great at handing out God’s grace. Thus, he had been hurt. Noticing the
unfamiliar limp on his right leg I asked him to tell the story of where it
happened.
He responded, “Man, do
you remember when I said I would come to church last week and never showed
up? Well, I went four-wheeling and got
stuck in the snow but when I tried to dig out I blew out my back.”
I laughed but he
quickly shut me up.
“Hey man, I am
serious. I think God punished me for skipping church!”
I wanted to argue that
God would never do that, but I knew better.
My mind raced back to the four years of college when God seemed to
single me out for physical discipline.
Injury after painful injury sent me to the orthopedist for surgeries,
hinge-casts, braces, and physical therapy until I finally said it, “God why are
you doing this to me?”
God literally scared
the hell out of me. Instead of calming
my friend down I scooted away from where he was sitting in the pew and said,
“Bro, if lightening strikes you at some point during the service I do not want
to be collateral damage!”
I don’t think it
helped.
I believe this man is
close to salvation because he discovered something that many of us have
forgotten. This is a God to be feared.
He is terrifying. In fact the
word “awesome” in the Greek is the word “phobos” where we get our word Phobia.
When a man understands
the awesome power of God, “Surely his
salvation is near those who fear him” (Psalm 85:9).
