Reverent Worship

According to the dictionary, reverence is profound adoring awed respect. In 1992 I went to the airport to see President George H. W. Bush speak. When the President of the United States goes somewhere, the preparation for his arrival is a significant event, as evidenced by all of the security that is involved. I did not get to shake President Bush’s hand, but was close enough to see him and to sense much of the adoring respect that he was given at that event.

Seeing over the past few days, the many things done to honor the deceased former President Gerald Ford reminds me again of the respect we give people in authority.

Based on the way we honor mortal men, how then should I conduct myself in order to worship God with the reverence called for in Psalm 2:11 “Worship the LORD with reverence and rejoice with trembling.”? I can’t begin to give a complete list of what I should do, but here’s a few.

By recognizing God’s exalted position relative to my place – It’s a master-servant relationship. I need to understand my place in relation to Him.

By recognizing God’s limitless power as compared to my weakness. - God’s power is creative as well as redemptive. Whatever power I have in a spiritual sense is the power that God allows to flow through me as his ambassador.

By acknowledging that all that I am or have is a gift of God’s grace.

By trying to comprehend the greatness of God. - Paul was blinded by the glory of God. God told Moses that no man was able to see the face of God and live; and Moses face was visibly radiant as a result of being in God’s presence.

By living a life acceptable to God. - In Romans 12: 1, Paul defined worship as follows: “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”