Psalm 119:153-160

Psalm 119:153-160 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  I've been in a courtroom a few times, fortunately never for anything I did or was involved in, and it's intimidating.  It feels tense, and everyone there is serious, because they're dealing with serious things.  The judge wears a robe and presides over the precedings, and it all has the feel of something I would love to never be involved with.
  The Bible uses a lot of legal language to describe our relationship with God, and what can easily happen is that we can then translate that into our relationship with God.  We think that God is a judge who is ready, even eager, to condemn us for the slightest misstep, and so we approach God with fear, or maybe we even avoid approaching God at all, instead opting to avoid God and hope that our sins go unnoticed.
  What we know, thanks to the New Testament, is that God comes to us with grace and love, like a good shepherd tending to the cares of even the most wayward sheep.  While we are guilty and stand under condemnation, that weight has been lifted by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and we have life according to God's love.  Salvation is poured out upon us, and we have been redeemed to life. 
  So let go of your fears when it comes to God -- rejoice, give thanks, and sing God's praises, for you have been set free!!