All is not well in our world today. We hear the complaints about the lack of respect for the elderly, lack of respect for the young, lack of respect for those in authority. Ask a police officer, teacher or principal how they are treated today. High Schools across the country are having a hard time finding people willing to sign up to officiate sports. Why?Lack of respect. We find a lack of reverence and respect everywhere we look. If this is a problem in our day to day living I have to ask myself if this is a problem in our spiritual lives and in the church? My fear is that it is more common than we would like to admit.

 

While I can’t answer the question for you, I do know that respect and reverence are essential in our walk with God. If we don’t have a respect and reverence for God how can we worship Him? Why would we worship Him? The definition of reverence: 1: honor or respect felt or shown: deference;  especially: profound adoring awed respect  2: a gesture of respect (such as a bow).

 

I am concerned that there is a lack of reverence for God today period.

We say we love Him but we don’t fear Him. We are entertained but we don’t stand in awe of God. We call God our friend but we all too quickly forget that He is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28 puts it this way:

 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,  for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28-29

Do you have a reverence and awe for our God? He is Holy! He is worthy! He deserves our respect!
What is missing? A healthy fear of God. Proverbs puts it this way:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

 

Yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,
if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.  Proverbs 2:3-5

 

A fisherman has a healthy respect for the lake which can save his life!
An electrician has a healthy respect for electricity which can save his life!

A motorcyclist has a respect for the power of the bike which can save his life!
A follower of Christ needs to have respect and reverence for God.

 

Consider the following statements:

Our motive should be “gratitude.”

Our activity should be the “acceptable service”, worship of God.

Our attitude toward Him should be one of “reverence” and “awe.”

 

Pastor Brian

 

Let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, ²⁹ for our God is a consuming fire!

Hebrews 12:28b-29