“But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.”
(Psalm 130:4)
Reflection:
The Psalmist gives as the reason for his statement the fact that forgiveness of sins is found with God, and with God alone. The whole of Scripture supports his view, and would therefore agree that God should be treated with the greatest reverence and respect. The writer of Proverbs tells us clearly that,
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10)
Anyone who treats God casually, lightly, disrespectfully and without the deepest reverence has clearly no idea of the majesty and holiness of God – nor of just how much we need and depend upon Him for this life and the next. More than one writer has expressed the conviction that our proper place would be on our faces before Him – something that is brought out dramatically in Revelations.
Although God would certainly strike terror into the heart of an unbeliever or unrepentant sinner it is not terror that the writers have in mind – for the love of God casts out fear. It is instead a deep and awe-filled reverence, a hushed acknowledgement of His absolute power, majesty, authority and holiness, and a willing obedience to His slightest wish and command.
Coupled with this now would be the dumb-struck awe of His love, His grace, His sacrifice and His humility – as He stoops down to reach out to us, to cleanse us, to take our sins upon Himself to the cross and the grave, and to rise again in glory so as to bless us with new and eternal life.
This would bring us to a tear-filled joy that the God of holiness unsullied could love a sin-sodden wastrel, and wish to transform him and her to a child of pure and transparent beauty in whom the image of the Almighty Father is clearly evident.
God is to be treated with reverence for who He is and because He holds our lives in His hands –hands that are scarred with our salvation. Indeed,
“He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
Response:
Think on these things – and how you look at God.
Prayer:
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name..” Amen
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The Soaring Eagle 