Displaying Reverence and Love for God
Displaying Reverence and Love for God
Reverence for God is an attitude and posture of profound respect, awe, and honor directed toward our Creator.
It forms the basis of a believer’s worship, ethics, and daily life.
Reverence for God is a quality missing in much of what masquerades as Christianity today.
Instead of the kind of reverence we see demonstrated throughout the Bible, modern Christianity has adopted a “Jesus-is-my-buddy” attitude that grossly downplays the holiness, power, and righteous wrath of the Sovereign Creator.
Reverence does not refer to God as “The Big Guy in the Sky” or “The Man Upstairs.” Once we truly know who God is, we reverence Him in our hearts.
* Even the thief on the cross, after he realized who Jesus was, rebuked the other thief for his irreverence: “Don’t you fear God?” he said to the other thief; then he turned to Jesus and honored Him as the King.
THE BENEFITS OF FEARING GOD
When we revere Him, we align ourselves with His.
Embracing the fear of God assures us that we will be kept safe from danger and guided through life’s challenges.
It provides us with strength and peace in uncertain times, reminding us that we can always trust in His promises.
Luke 1:50
And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
Pro 14:26
In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
Pro 14:27
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
THE FEAR OF GOD BRINGS FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 10:27
The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.
Proverbs 19:23
The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.
THE FEAR OF GOD AS A SOURCE OF STRENGTH
Psalm 115:11
You, who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield.
Psalm 27:1
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalm 27:1
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
THE FEAR OF GOD IN TIMES OF TROUBLE
There are seasons in our lives when we face turmoil and uncertainty. During these challenging times, the fear of God gives us the peace and comfort we need.
Through our reverence for Him, we find solace knowing He cares for us deeply and walks alongside us, even in our most difficult moments.
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1
Isaiah 43:2
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” – Isaiah 43:2
Psalm 91:15
“He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” – Psalm 91:15
LIVING A LIFE REFLECTING THE FEAR OF GOD BY THE WAY WE LIVE
When we embrace the fear of God, our lives become a reflection of His love and grace.
Proverbs 8:13
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
Proverbs 16:6
By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
While it’s essential to have the fear of God, we must also understand that this fear transforms our fear of worldly troubles into faith.
When we truly revere God, our fears about the challenges of life diminish. Instead of being overwhelmed, we choose to put our confidence in God’s unwavering love and protection.
1 John 4:18
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” – 1 John 4:18
TRUE WORSHIP IS NOT ABOUT OUR FAVORITE SONG.
It is not confined to an emotional experience and is not synonymous with tingly feelings.
True worship is a lifestyle. We worship in spirit when our hearts are abandoned before Lord, willing to obey everything He has said. We worship in truth when our minds are engaged and filled with the biblical understanding of God’s nature.
To worship God is to know Him and to serve Him.
To worship Him the way He deserves to be worshiped, we must align our hearts with His and seek to obey Him (see Luke 6:46).
NEVER LOSE THE FEAR OF GOD IN YOUR HEART
Are you allowing the right things to influence you?
1. Our nation and the world need a spiritual revival. We need a spiritual awaking. This is nothing new. Many have lost the fear of God.
2. The Israelites did not see themselves spiritually drifting away from serving God Almighty. All they knew was that their inward sinful desires were being peeked by what they witnessed in the lives of others.
Are you spiritually drifting?
Is your reverence for the things of God growing faint.
Has your heart become blinded to the truth?
Have subtle compromises lead you to spiritually deadly outcomes.
Spiritual compromise does not end with one compromise, soon one’s life is filled with compromises and the person is spiritually blinded to life they are living.
God is a God of love, mercy, and grace, but he is also holy and just. God’s love, mercy and grace are witnessed by Jesus taking our sin and the sin of the world upon himself.
Never lose the fear, reverence, and awe for God Almighty. Remain faithful, refusing to compromise spiritually and you will receive the crown of life.
