In last year's NBA Finals, the Phoenix Suns lost to the Milwaukee Bucks, but most of their team is back and motivated to go win a championship. Although making another deep run will be challenging, and they must first get past the Dallas Mavericks, the team is up 1-0 in the series, winning 121-114 Monday night. Knowing a series can change from game to game, the Suns must take the Mavs very seriously when they meet again tonight. Dallas is led by superstar, Luka Doncic, who had 45 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists against them in game one, helping to cut down the lead in the 4th quarter. The Mavs are also a team that just knocked out a talented Utah Jazz team in the first round, so the Suns need to respect what they’re capable of doing. On TheAthletic.com, Sam Amick has an article with the title, “Suns Push Forward as Favorites but Maintain ‘Appropriate Fear’ Against Feisty Mavs.” He explains the journey the Suns have been on and their approach in these playoffs. Amick writes, “Fear, in many forms, is what they hope leads them down this road to redemption.” When Amick asked the Suns' Head coach, Monty Williams, about his chosen message to his team entering this series, Williams said, “We just talked about appropriate fear. This (Mavericks) team won 52 games; they were the sixth-best defense and they have three guys (Dončić, Jalen Brunson, and Spencer Dinwiddie) that can go get it done every single night. “And when you put the stats up on the screen and show the guys, you have to have what we call the appropriate fear. And that allows for you to bring your ‘A’ game every time you step on the floor. It’s just a high level of respect.” I love this message because it prevents the Suns from overlooking the Mavs, which allows them to keep the proper posture and mindset during each game they play. This message about “appropriate fear” also parallels the “high level of respect” we must have for God. We don’t have to be scared of God, but rather our “appropriate fear” demonstrates we acknowledge He is all-powerful, just, holy, and majestic. "Appropriate fear" gives us the proper posture and mindset regarding His character as we take His Word seriously, and understand He's capable of anything. By having humility and maintaining “appropriate fear,” we respect and honor Him for who He really is instead of overlooking His grace, love, mercy, greatness, goodness, and faithfulness. This fills us with praise and gratitude and awe. The Bible says in Psalm 112:1, “Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) Blessed is the man who fears the Lord , Who delights greatly in His commandments.” Psalm 34:9 (NLT) declares, “Fear the Lord, you, His godly people, for those who fear Him will have all they need.” Today, as we think about the Suns having “appropriate fear” that “they hope leads them down this road to redemption,” let’s be reminded, “The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.” (Proverbs 19:23; ESV). Let's also remember, “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, So that one may avoid the snares of death” (Proverbs 14:27; AMP). I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me to have the appropriate fear of You and properly acknowledge that You are a powerful, loving, just, and Holy God. You are worthy of my praise and I stand in awe of Your goodness. Thank you for loving me and showing me grace and mercy. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What is the difference between appropriate and inappropriate fear of God?
In what ways are you overlooking God's character or not showing the appropriate fear?
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