Reverence

  • Keith Waldrop
  • May 20, 2008

     

    What does Reverence mean?

    It means feeling an attitude of deep respect tinged with awe. When we have reverence for God, it will always produce confidence. Our God calls us to reverence, and when we do - we are changed - as we get into His presence. His presence is what we need most! "Worship the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling." (Psalms 2:11)

    As Christ followers we are called to fear the Lord and to respect His authority. I like what the great author Brennan Manning says about the fear of the Lord. He says that it means, "Silent wonder, radical amazement, and affectionate awe." We only gain this intimacy when we slow down, get still, and know that He is God! He is to be worshipped above all things. He shares His glory with no one.

    The recent message (May 4, 2008) on Reverence, has made me and others stop what we are doing, and truly reflect on the Lord and our heart response to Him. It is so easy to make worship about the feelings I get, but Jesus transcends all that, and He is exalted above our understanding. In the service of quietness and wonder, our Faith Family rediscovered what it means to truly worship Him as we got on our faces before the King, and cried out in desperation to Him. I looked out and saw no one sitting, only on their face before the throne. It reminded me of the Promise Keeper's, "Stand In The Gap," a few years ago in Washington, D.C., where I joined over a million men on their faces before God, and worshiped Him. As I look at scripture, I believe that will be our position in heaven, to bow before the Lord Jesus and to praise Him.

    The Word tells us to sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence. (1 Peter 3:15.) Quiet your heart before the Lord and journey to a deeper place with Christ as you encounter Him in His glory. Hold Him in awe and obey. God wants us to want Him and to believe that He is enough. He desires us to desire Him above all else. He certainly got my attention and obviously, a whole host of others. May His holy splendor fill the house!

    As a Faith Family, let's prepare ourselves to enter into worship (every week) with reverence and come ready to embrace the holiness of God.

    For an Isaiah 6 experience,

    Keith