The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

Psalm 29:7-8 ESV

In the Old Testament, prophets often came with hard words for the Israelites about how destruction was coming if they didn’t turn back.

God speaks through Micah these words, “If you would do what is right, you would find my words comforting” (Michah 2:7b, NLT). Or New King James, “Do not My words do good To him who walks uprightly?”

You could say there would be joy, not fear, if you walked uprightly, if you served God in holiness and righteousness.

The Lord’s words are powerful. We want Zephaniah 3:17—the Lord rejoicing over us—not Psalm 29:5, where the voice of the Lord breaks the cedars, splintering them.

There is a way to be on the good side of the Lord’s words. It’s living in holiness and righteousness before Him. God wants to approach us with comfort and kindness, not wrath and indignation. We just need to choose what is right.