Reverence
Reverence. A few years ago while on our way to a mid-week church service, glancing over at my then 11-year-old son, he was wearing his favorite ‘Ducks’ cap. I asked him to make sure to take the cap off before going into the church, explaining that it would show reverence to the Lord. His weird smirk gave evidence he didn’t quite understand. I proceeded to tell him; taking his favorite cap off, told God He is TOTALLY COOL, thanking Him in such a way as to bow to His coolness. His response, “Oh I get it.”
How do we bow?
David wrote, “But I, by Your great mercy, will come into Your house; in reverence will I bow down toward Your holy temple.” (Psalm 5:7) And again in Psalm 22:23 “Praise the LORD, all you who fear Him! Honor Him, all you descendants of Jacob! Show Him reverence, all you descendants of Israel!”
Reverence, not something commonly displayed these days. If a head is bowed, or a knee taken onlookers raise an eyebrow or two.
The writer of Hebrews strongly declares: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our “God is a consuming fire.” (12:28-29)
This godly reverence paints a most honoring picture; it isn’t a haphazard quick nod of the head as to casually acknowledge something or someone. It is to recoil,
recoiling in the presence of goodness, conveying the idea of downcast eyes. It is expressing the need or desire to withdraw oneself, merely not due to their reputation, but the reality of being. GOD IS GOOD! His holiness makes Him so ‘other.’ Yes, we are commissioned to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) But may we not do so with lack of awe and wonder, in that we might dishonor. Remembering, the One Who sits on the throne is indeed, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, His goodness alone sets Him apart.
How is our reverence, are we giving a quick nod or a complete He is worthy bow?
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrew 10:24)
Inspired Fountain 