Bummer Buster Friday - Awe and Reverence for God

Good morning!

Awe. Reverence. As I walk through this season of transition from my career to retirement and avocation activities, I think these words are worth considering.
 
Do you think at times you might forget how awesome God is? How awesome it was (and is) that God sent His Son Jesus Christ to become man to be the perfect sacrifice in order that we could come home to Him?
 
When you go for a walk on a beautiful fall day, do you see the awesomeness of God’s creation – even a broken creation? Does that feeling of awe move you to reverence for God?
 
Is your reverence strong enough for you to surrender your life of this world and to say yes to Jesus Christ and His call into your life to live for Him and not for things of this world?
 
I think that often it is easy for me to make God small and to make His Son just a man, not fully God. If I ever find myself thinking this, I benefit from revisiting scripture to remind myself of who our God is, what Christ did for me, to step back and kneel down in prayer, to remember how He has moved and is moving in my life…
 
Scripture is overflowing with references to the awe of God, the awesomeness of God and the need to approach God with reverence. Awe and reverence, are a part of the definition of fear as it applies to “fear” God.
 
Here is a sampling of God’s word that touches on these two words:
 
Awe –

• 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,
• Acts 2:43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.
• Matthew 9:7-8 Then the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.
• Habakkuk 3:2 Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.
• Psalm 66:3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.”
• Psalm 65:8 The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.
• Psalm 19 - Starts in verse one - "he heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above[a] proclaims his handiwork".- Go read this Psalm - the author clearly speaks to how God's creation shows His glory, His awesomeness worthy of all our reverence...

 
Reverence –

• 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,
• 2 Corinthians 6:18-7:1 18 And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
• Psalm 130:3-4 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
• Ephesians 5:19-21 … Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

 
The number of references is large so I will stop here – explore more on your own. I think you will find that it brings you closer to God. A couple of questions for you to consider.
 
When, where do you find yourself feeling awe and reverence for God? What in your life triggers this kind of engagement with our Creator?
 
I am often awed by the beauty of sunrises and sunsets – God’s word in Genesis tell us He created the rising and setting of the sun – here are two of the many astounding images Gd has provided me an opportunity to capture of this beauty He created:

Lord Jesus, as we enter this weekend, my prayer for each of us is that we never make God small and that we ever treasure the feeling of awe before God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit and in feeling that awe, we live our relationship with our Savior in reverence for what He has done for us. Amen!

Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick
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