As equally as we are commanded to behold and consider the “goodness of God,” we are likewise directed to behold and consider the “severity of God.” “Severity” involves being strict or stern in judgment or requirement. An unbalanced view of God would be to focus solely on His severity; equally unbalanced would be to focus solely on His goodness. Balance requires both!
God punished Eve for one forbidden bite (Gen. 3:1-19), Nadab and Abihu for one unauthorized 
fire (Lev. 10:1-3), Moses for one angry swing (Num. 20:1-13), Achan for one prohibited seizure (Josh. 7:1-26), King Saul for one lawless sacrifice (1 Sam. 13:1-15), Uzzah for one sincerely-intentioned touch (2 Sam. 6:3-6), Ananias and Sapphira for one “harmless” untruth (Ac. 5:1-11).
God flooded the entire earth because of man’s ungodliness (Gen. 6-9; 2 Pet. 2:5). God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of their immorality (Gen. 18-19; 2 Pet. 2:6; Jude 7). God has promised eternal damnation to all persons who do not obey Him (2 Thess. 1:8-9; Matt. 7:21-23). Truly, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31).