Reverence

Reveration means reverent-adoration.  It is a word I created after studying one of the most overlooked major themes of Scripture—the fear of God.  If love for God is food than reverence for Him is water.  We need both to nourish our relationship.  Love devoid of respect is emotionally unstable causing people to perceive God as some sort of cosmic Genie.  Respect without love is mechanically rigid such that people approach God from a sense of duty, concerned with failing, convinced that He is a harsh Judge. 

​While living in the Sinai desert for six months I read through my Bible and highlighted in red pencil every reference to revering the Lord.  Over 286 verses or 44 of the 66 books of the Bible address fearing Him.  The application of reverence has powerful implications for us. I will not sail on the sea of devotional writing without a pious wind.
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Solomon, the world’s wisest man said “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Pro. 1:7).  Jeremiah, God’s weeping prophet, shared God’s perspective, 
"Do you not fear Me? This is the Lord’s declaration. Do you not tremble before Me, the One who set the sand as the boundary of the sea, an enduring barrier that it cannot cross? The waves surge, but they cannot prevail. They roar but cannot pass over it . . .  I will give them one heart and one way so that for their good and for the good of their descendants after them, they will fear Me always. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never turn away from doing good to them, and I will put fear of Me in their hearts so they will never again turn away from Me"  (Jer.5:22; 32:39,40).

The very key to salvation is found in the fear of God--“There will be times of security for you—a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.The fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure”(Isaiah 33:6).  The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 7:1, “Therefore, dear friends, since we have such promises, let us cleanse ourselves from every impurity of the flesh and spirit, completing our sanctificationin the fear of God.”  

The more I experience God the more overwhelmed I am by His grace coupled with power, His mercy linked with justice.  I am awe-struck that this perfect, all-knowing Lord would value me so highly as to let His own Son be murdered for me. I’m staggered by the faithfulness of a Father I don’t deserve.  I’m thrilled by the touch of an invisible Holy Spirit who warms me like no fire can. 
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The secret to knowing God includes fearing Him. Will He grow close to those who take Him for granted?  Will He embrace men and women who use His name in vain?  When have disrespect and disobedience ever been the building blocks for a successful relationship!  God yearns for our heartfelt piety.  When we come before Him with awe and treat Him with the majesty He deserves, He blesses us in ways we could never have imagined.  Something to think about . . . in reveration! 
 
Meditation
Psalm 40:3--He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.
 
Inspiration
The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God you fear everything else.—Oswald Chambers inThe Pilgrim’s Song Book
 
©1999 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)