"He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him." Psalm 103: 10, 11; NKJ

God's holiness demands that He deal severely with sin. His mercy demands that He deals with us by showing grace. This presents no dilemma to God; He is well able to balance His justice with His mercy. The extent to which He can do that is like the incalculable distance between earth and the heavens. Notice the subjects who are shown this immeasurable mercy are those who fear Him. All fright fear of God is not spiritually unhealthy if it motivates us to walk in obedience to His word. Love draws us to Him; awe of Him keeps us close. "Not for ease or worldly pleasure, nor for fame my prayer shall be; gladly will I toil and suffer, only let me walk with Thee--close to Thee, close to Thee." –Fanny Crosby