Fear is not exactly what we appreciate in our western culture. If at all possible, we would remove the word from our vocabulary. In reality, however, we are in the midst of fear. Unfortunately it is mostly bad fear that we face. Then we must ask ourselves what would life be if fear were absent? Some Christians believe that perfect love eliminates fear (I Jn.4: 18). Only, who among us is perfect?

We love to hear that we have a kind and loving God or Heavenly Father. Indeed the Lord God is full of compassion, grace and mercy, forgiving and longsuffering (Num.14: 18; Ps.86: 15). He is especially longsuffering, meaning that He is overly patient with us, giving us every chance to repent and correct our ways. He is not willing that anyone should perish without having had that chance to change (II Pe.3: 9). He does not want us to miss His gift of grace (Heb.12: 15). God proved His love for us by sending His Son to show us what we must do to be fitted for God's kingdom (Jn.3: 1-21; Mk.1: 15).

Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites (Christians), because the Lord has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: "There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land. There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. Because of this the land mourns, and all who live in it waste away; the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the fish of the sea are dying.