“The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass” (Proverbs 19:12).
The king of the jungle roars for the purpose of creating fear—paralyzing fear—so that his task of capturing his prey is made easier. Satan—humanity’s roaring lion (1 Pet. 5:8)—has the same motive: Generate fear which eclipses your faith, so you become has next victim. A lifestyle of such fear will result in the second death (Rev.21:8).
Fear of a king’s wrath is highly motivational for those nearest to him. History is saturated with examples of how dictatorial, unreasonable, and impetuous monarchs became because of the constant and crushing fear they generated in their closest associates.
The King of kings deserves our greatest love and respect, His absolute authority over life and death is real, but He seeks our voluntary submission by seeking to woo us—as a suitor does a maiden he desires to marry. His love is showcased at Calvary where “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).
If, however, Christ’ love does not woo you into a life of loving obedience and intense loyalty, then beware the wrath of the Lamb (Rev. 6:16)!
