Reverence and Awe

Reverence and Awe

Hebrews 12: ²⁸ Let us be thankful, then, because we receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Let us be grateful and worship God in a way that will please him, with reverence and awe; ²⁹ because our God is indeed a destroying fire.

 

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Hearing the eloquent words pour out of the speaker’s mouth, I was engaged. I could not get enough of this particular speaker. I purchased recordings and distributed them to as many people as possible.

 

• I was enamored.
• I admired every word of the speaker.
• I took action to tell others about the speaker.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, provides the a very different view of GOD that is quite disturbing. He says GOD is a “Consuming fire” or in this version a “Destroying fire.” Because of this, we need to worship HIM in reverence and awe.

 

My Observations:

• GOD is all seeing, all knowing and all-powerful.
• GOD is everywhere and I cannot escape HIM.
• GOD’s power should be revered and not taken lightly by me.

 

I should be a fan of GOD. I mean, I should like HIS style, HIS power and HIS timing. Unfortunately, I don’t like HIS style, the way HE uses HIS power or HIS timing. I easily get upset at GOD when HE doesn’t deliver me when and how I expect. Fortunately for me, HE is patient.

 

GOD deserves reverence and awe from me. HE can do anything, anytime and anywhere. By believing in JESUS, I have access to the Most High GOD. HE loves when I pray and rely on HIS power. I gladly surrender to HIM.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer mean by calling GOD a “Destroying” or “Consuming” fire?
• Have you ever seen something so powerful that it memorized everyone?
• Will you look at GOD as the all-powerful being HE is and align your reverence to HIM today?

Filled with Awe

Ezekiel 1: ²⁶ Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. ²⁷ I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. ²⁸ Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him.

This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

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Rumbles of the storm were now distant. The sun was out and I saw the most brilliant rainbow, then another. I figured I would visit it so I ran over to the next block, it moved. I ran further and the elusive rainbow stayed its distance.

• When I was a child I did not understand what true power was.
• When I was a child I did not understand the forces that were around me.
• When I was a child I did not understand what it meant to just be in awe.

Instead of marveling at the wonder, I went to touch the rainbow. I don’t know if I wanted to grab it for bragging rights or if it were simply curiosity, but I wanted it. Now that I have grown up I admire the stormy gales and rushing winds. When it all clears I am in awe at GOD’s mighty power and serenity HE brings by placing a rainbow as a sign that HE would never again flood the earth to get rid of mankind.

• GOD’s awesomeness is all around me every day.
• GOD’s mighty power can be seen by me if I would only open my eyes daily.
• GOD speaks to me daily through the wonders of nature if I would only stop and listen.

Busy days blind me to GOD’s awesomeness. Mad paced deadlines and due dates keep me from sitting and looking at what GOD made. BUT GOD is still awesome. HE is still there whenever I simply look up and see HIM. HE is to be awed, there is no one like HIM!

• Have you taken a moment to stop and see GOD’s awesomeness?
• When is the last time you gave GOD credit for what HE has done?
• Can you stop for a moment today and look outside to see what GOD is doing all around you?
• Will you be filled with the awe of the LORD?

Filled with Wonder

Isaiah 4: ² In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel. ³ Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called holy, all who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem. ⁴ The Lord will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; he will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire. ⁵ Then the Lord will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over everything the glory will be a canopy. ⁶ It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.

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As I looked at this passage this morning I noticed that I was left out. I’m not saying that I’m not included in the promises. I am saying I don’t have anything to do but sit here and watch.

• The LORD will be beautiful and glorious.
• The LORD will wash away the filth, HE will cleanse bloodstains.
• The LORD will create.

Sometimes I think GOD is just sitting around doing nothing but watching HIS experiment to see if I will make it out of the maze of life. As I sin, it equates to running into a wall and if I get lost it is similar to going into a dead end section of the maze. BUT GOD wants me to take off my blinders.

• GOD wants me to see only HIS glory so I won’t use my own.
• GOD wants me to see only HIS power so I won’t think I need any of mine.
• GOD wants me to see only HIS promises so I won’t get caught up pouting over what I don’t have.

Looking at GOD does not always mean looking at the answer guy who just sits and waits to fix my problems. HE is the way, the truth and the life. GOD is active in my life on a daily basis. Minute by minute HE is there. Sometimes I just need to see only HIM and nothing else.

• Can you look at GOD today?
• Will you seek only HIS face and try to please HIM?
• Will you ask HIM to show HIS might today?

Taking Time to Ponder

Job 25: ² “Dominion and awe belong to God;
    he establishes order in the heights of heaven.
³ Can his forces be numbered?
    On whom does his light not rise?

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Sitting on my couch “worried” I wondered if I passed my final exam. Sitting in my apartment “worried” I wondered if I got the job. Sitting in my apartment “worried” I wondered if I got another job to move back. Sitting in my house “worried” I wondered if I could ever please this boss or the next one or those to follow.  Wow, I spent a lot of time worrying!

• Worrying takes me away from peace.
• Worrying distracts me so much that I cannot see blessings.
• Worrying puts me in a ball and I cannot move forward on anything.

It’s quite amazing how distracting worry is. I mean when I try to stop worrying. I worry that I’m worrying too much! What should I do?

• GOD said “Do not worry, do not be afraid.”
• GOD said “I will be with you always.”
• GOD said “Tell them I AM.”

I had to quiet my mind from all the worry and look at who GOD is. As I stared out the window I saw a deer slowly tromp into my yard, then another, then another. Soon several deer were standing there; one began kicking up the snow and sat down. I kept looking and seven or eight were sitting. I was amazed at the sight. Then I realized, if I could just slow down and look I could see GOD every day.

Slowing down helps me see and hear GOD. HE shows HIMSELF to me daily.

• Are you looking for GOD?
• Do you think HE is far away from you right now?
• Can you look around and see HIM where you are right now?
• Can you ponder the intricacies of how HE made you and your surroundings and the heavens above?
• Won’t you add “awe” back into your relationship with GOD?

How Great Thou Art!

2 Samuel 7: ²² “How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. 

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Sin takes my thoughts off of how GREAT GOD really is. I mean I get so busy asking for forgiveness that I can’t bring myself to marvel at HIS greatness. Worry does the same. It robs my thoughts of the splendor of GOD. I can say the same for a busy life, troubles and even vacations.

Each distraction takes my mind off of GOD and places it on yet another prayer asking for something. GOD deserves something different.

• HEAVENLY FATHER thank YOU for being GOD, I adore YOU!
• JESUS thank YOU, thank YOU for volunteering to take my execution sentence, I am at a loss for words.
• HOLY SPIRIT, thank YOU for dwelling in my sinful body, guiding me, comforting me, leading me and interceding for me.

GOD is truly amazing! There is none like HIM and no human can match wits with HIM. HE has forgiven me and raised me up in spite of my sin!

Amazing things can happen

Ruth 4: ¹¹ Then the elders and all the people at the gate said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. ¹² Through the offspring the Lord gives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah.”

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²¹ Salmon the father of Boaz,

Boaz the father of Obed,

²² Obed the father of Jesse,

and Jesse the father of David.

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Ruth was a foreigner who decided to serve a widow instead of remarrying. What’s amazing to me is she stuck to her convictions and didn’t seem like she was secretly looking for something or trying to ‘pretend’ so she could manipulate GOD.

She wasn’t seeking a title or praise by other people BUT GOD had something different planned for her.

• GOD amazingly brought Ruth through very harsh times.
• GOD saw fit to heal a very broken situation by rescuing an older and younger widow.
• GOD delivered the right person at the right time when things seemed the most desperate and he became the redeemer.

What’s so amazing about this piece of history is JESUS was a descendant of this family when HE decided to become a human. I tried to think of an amazing story that could match what was going on here and could not think of one.  The story speaks for itself.

• GOD doesn’t need to part oceans in order to be known.
• GOD can use ordinary desires to produce something special.
• GOD can bless me without fanfare, pomp and circumstances.

Sometimes just living life is enough for GOD to do some amazing things.

• Do you think GOD is not concerned about you?
• Does life seem monotonous?
• Do you realize GOD may be doing some amazing things in your life that you are blinded to?
• Won’t you open your eyes to how amazing GOD is on a daily basis?

Deepen my reverence for GOD.

Hebrews 12:  ²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, ²⁹ for our “God is a consuming fire.”

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Six NBA championships just proves there is no basketball greater than you know who. At least that’s how I see it because I went to see him play on a number of occasions. I guess you could say I revered his talents, drive and determination.

He inspired me to yell at the television, play armchair coach and pay lots of money to see him perform. Wow! What talent!

• Human talent is limited.
• Human talent is flawed.
• Human talent is fleeting.
• Human talent can cause envy.

Reverence is a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe. Awe is an overwhelming feeling of admiration, fear, etc., produced by that which is grand, sublime, extremely powerful, or the like. There are times when I have leveraged my talents to win a competition and people admired my efforts but this was only a moment in time.

• GOD is all powerful, all knowing, all seeing and ever present.
• GOD is love on its greatest scale.
• GOD is mercy and the ultimate forgiver.
• GOD is judge, jury and executioner of those who oppose HIM or HIS people.

Sometimes I make GOD a little too common.  I blow HIM off during easy times and beg for help when I get in trouble. I cheapen HIS abilities by jumping in with my plan and get disappointed when HE doesn’t follow them. I treat HIM with disrespect when I act apathetic with my “get around to it later” attitude.

• The creator of the universe deserves my deep respect.
• The being who has “always been” and will “always be” deserves my immediate attention.
• The entity who holds Heaven and Hell deserves a healthy fear.

There are times where I have feared humans more than GOD because of their position or title. Fear of their retribution drove me to cater to their every whim. BUT GOD wants HIS position to be higher than that of any human. HE wants me to revere HIM and remain in awe of HIS SON.

GOD is a consuming fire, without the proper respect I could get burned.

• Do you respect GOD’s position in your life?
• Do you have a healthy fear of GOD or do you think HE is your pal?
• Do you demand things from GOD or do you approach HIM with respect?