Never lose your Awe of God

 For a few days this thought has been rolling around in my mind, "Never lose your Awe of God".

I wondered then, "What does "Awe" mean? You know me, curious, right? I think I have a pretty good idea what the word "Awe" means, but I want to be certain that I really know, you know..... just in case there is more to it than I really know....most of the time there is. It's always exciting to investigate!!!

Awe - OT translated revere, to turn aside from the road, fear

Awe - NT reverence; respect, fear

In a rather quick study of having the Awe of God, I 
saw three things regarding how people respond to the Awe of God.

#1. People see signs and wonders and the are filled with Awe of God and then they praise God

Luke 5:24-26
Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”
And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!”

Acts 3:1-10
One day Peter and John were going up to the Temple for the hour of prayer—the ninth hour—and, just then, some men were carrying there one who had been lame from birth, whom they were wont to place every day close to the Beautiful Gate (as it was called) Seeing Peter and John about to go into the Temple, he asked them for alms. Peter fixing his eyes on him, as John did also, said, "Look at us." So he looked and waited, expecting to receive something from them. "I have no silver or gold," Peter said, "but what I have, I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene— walk!" Then taking his hand Peter lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were strengthened. Leaping up, he stood upright and began to walk, and went into the Temple with them, walking, leaping, and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God; and recognizing him as the man who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple asking for alms, they were filled with awe and amazement at what had happened to him.

#2. Many references speak of the multitudes of signs and wonders that God did before Pharaoh and for the Israelites. Although they praised God upon seeing and experiencing the marvelous things that God did, their "Awe" of God was quickly lost. They complained, whined and murmured against God and did not remember the miracles he had done. How quickly they forgot the awesomeness of God and His power on their behalf. Read Psalm 78.

Psalm 78:42

They did not remember [the miracles worked by] His [powerful] hand, Nor the day when He redeemed them from the enemy,

Hebrews 12:28
Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, and offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship with reverence and awe;

#3. David was an excellent example of how I see we should be. He remained in Awe of God and Praised God in whatever situation he found himself. His reverence and Awe of God preceded the miracles he experienced. We, as children of God, should hold to the Awesomeness of God. We should remember all He has done for us. Must we wait for signs and wonders to be in Awe of God, then quickly complain when things are not going as we think they ought to? Perhaps our continual Awe of God will precede the power of God on our behalf!

Acts 2:43 
A sense of awe was felt by everyone, and many wonders and signs (attesting miracles) were taking place through the apostles.

Read and ponder the following verses and never lose your Awe of God. He is the Great, Mighty and Awesome God forever and always whether we are seeing His power on our behalf at the moment or not!!!!

Malachi 2:5
“The purpose of my covenant with the Levites was to bring life and peace, and that is what I gave them. This required reverence from them, and they greatly revered me and stood in awe of my name.

Job 37:24
No wonder people everywhere fear him. All who are wise show him reverence.”

Message 37:23-24
“Mighty God! Far beyond our reach!
Unsurpassable in power and justice!
It’s unthinkable that he’d treat anyone unfairly.
So bow to him in deep reverence, one and all! If you’re wise, you’ll most certainly worship him.”

Psalm 33:8
Let the whole world fear the LORD, and let everyone stand in awe of him.

Psalm 119:160-162
The sum of Your word is truth [the full meaning of all Your precepts], And every one of Your righteous ordinances endures forever. Princes persecute me without cause, But my heart stands in [reverent] awe of Your words [so I can expect You to help me]. I rejoice at Your word, As one who finds great treasure.

Revelations 15:4
Who will not stand in awe of you, Lord? Who will refuse to declare your greatness? You alone are holy. All the nations will come and worship you, because your just actions are seen by all."