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the "fear" of YHVH rests upon His great and There is no separation between these
mighty acts in history, particularly at the Exo- elements: fearing, loving, and obeying God.
dus from Egypt and at Sinai (see Psalm 136). These are the BEDROCK of an intimate rela-
This "fear of YHVH" necessarily results in a tionship, or "friendship," with YHVH. Notice
concrete response, that is, walking in all His how the Shema begins by speaking of loving
Ways. Moses tells the Israelites that the awe- God with heart, soul, and might, but immedi-
some display of power and glory at the giving ately adds, "and these words, which I am com-
of the Ten Commandments at Sinai was so that manding today, shall be on your heart"
"the fear of Him may remain before you, so that (Deuteronomy 6:6).
you may not sin." By walking in the Ways of
YHVH, which is something most specific and How a deep fear of YHVH, coupled with a
concrete, one comes to know, and accordingly, heartfelt following of the Way of YHVH, re-
love YHVH -- analogous to the way one comes sults in a total love of YHVH is something that
to know and love a fellow human being. can only be experienced. But it is vitally con-
nected to an understanding of that WAY.

God is Nigh

We have all heard the haunting song, "TAPS." It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually
creates tears in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you would like to know
about its humble beginnings. Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain
Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the
other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay
severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it were a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to
risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention.

Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him
toward his encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Con-
federate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went
numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier -- it was his own son! The boy had been study-
ing music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate
Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full mili-
tary burial despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could
have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down
since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only
one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on
a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted. The haunting melody, we now
know as "TAPS" used at military funerals, was born:

Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lakes, From the hills, From the sky.
All is well, Safely rest. God is nigh.
Fading light, Dims the sight, And a star, Gems the sky, Gleaming bright.
From afar, Drawing nigh, Falls the night.
Thanks and praise, For our days, Neath the sun, Neath the stars.
As we go, This we know, God is nigh.

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