Reverence

     

    The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines reverence as: 1) a feeling of profound awe and respect and often love; synonym-honor 2) an act of showing respect, especially a bow or curtsy 3) used as a form of address for certain members of the Christian clergy. 

    I heard it once said at a prophetic conference that most people are so mesmerized by loving God, that they forget about reverence for God. The idea behind this statement was that, once people become familiar with the Lord, they start to treat Him as if He's not royalty or their Creator anymore, but more-so as their "homeboy"; someone to reference to every now-and-then at their convenience. There's no respect and/or no fear if you really sit back and discern. The lives we speak and preach about from the Bible are not the lives we live. Our born-again lives do not reflect that of the image of Jesus (Gal 5:24-26, NASB). Surely, there is no perfect human being, but God requires that we strive to live in the way Jesus did when He walked this earth, to walk in the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23, NASB), and disciple to the lost as Jesus did. 

    However, this isn't seen as popular these days, as we were told it wouldn't be by Jesus Himself (Mat 10:16-23, NASB). The irony is that the distaste lie in the mouths of the ones who know the Word of the Lord but choose to ignore it. The Spirit of the Lord says, "My people don't fear Me anymore daughter. That's why they can do the things they do and feel nothing concerning the matter. Only when they get to really know Me and Who I AM will they reverence Me. They have to KNOW Me. My people don't know Me, even the most powerful. Be careful." The question came to my mind, "Lord, how can the most powerful not know you?" and I was lead to this verse- "Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity"-Matthew 7:22-23, KJV. This is Jesus speaking! The Lord continues to say as I am writing, "They did know Me at first, but lost sight of Me along the way and so did their respect." 

    Church! Don't allow the enemy's systems and agendas downplay and water-down your reverence for the Lord until you become lukewarm. As noted, this kind of characteristic the Lord will vomit out of His own mouth (Rev 3:16, NASB)! I don't want my ways, my heart, my mind, my spirit, or anything else to be distasteful to the Lord, and I pray that you don't either. Our God is a jealous God, and He does not take kindly to being disrespected (Ex 20:5, NASB). As part of the body of Christ, don't allow your relationship with the Lord to just stop at loving Him, but let it extend to having a healthy fear and respect for God in conjunction. Let your ways be unto the Lord and nothing or no one else (Col 3:23, NASB). 

**Prayer Time! 😊: Thank you, thank you, thank you Lord that You choose to extend grace to us each and every day. You said in your Word that your mercies are new every morning. Let us not take these new, fresh mercies for granted but be grateful in acknowledging them by changing our ways. Let our ways be your ways Lord, and our mind be in-step with yours. We come boldly before your throne, bowing down, laying prostrate, lifting our hands, and singing praises to show our reverence for you Lord. Thank you Father that we know you. We acknowledge, and take heed to the fact, that this life you have granted us is not our own but solely belongs to you. Allow our healthy fear for you Lord be a strong representation of our relationship with you to those who may not believe. Infiltrate their minds and inquire in their hearts to want to ask more about you, get to know you, and be saved. We couldn't be more grateful and honored to walk this walk with you. In Jesus' mighty Name we pray-Amen.**