Reverence and Respect For God
Harold Weaver | January 7th, 2008

The scriptures give us some important insights in shaping our attitude toward God. For example, Acts 2:42,43a And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. And everyone kept feeling a sense of awe (reverence, enormous respect for God). Their attitude is in response to the feeling of gratitude for what God was doing for these people who had become Christians. Such an attitude should be ours also.

Another illustration is Acts 9:31, So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and, going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase. These Christians had a devoted respect and reverence for God and obedience to His commandments. So should each of us.

A third illustration is given in Hebrews 12:28, Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe. The NIV translates this verse by stating let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. This verse leads me to conclude that whatever is done in our worship to God must be done with an attitude of reverence and deep respect for God.