Pastor’s Pen # 4
Turn to Malachi 1:14
With the climate of our world system as a backdrop, I want to talk today about fear and reverence. As you watch and listen for the latest headlines across every media outlet, what things invoke a sense of fear within your heart? It would do us well to remember that fear is a God given emotion. It is intended to give us the burst of energy necessary to act. Sometimes fear can be so gripping that we freeze. At other times fear can cause an impulsive reaction of “flight or fight.” Either way, fear usually comes out of a basic need for, or a sense of self preservation. So what do you fear in this life? Do you fear a downslide in the economy? How about the fear of illness? Do you fear the politicians in Washington and the legislation they can send our way? Would you say that you have a fear of God? Now, how would you define the word, reverence? Webster’s dictionary says that it is “a feeling or attitude of deep respect, love and awe.” Reverence also has emotion tied to it on some level. However, reverence always leads us towards the object of our deep respect, love and awe. To understand the bible we must have a working comprehension of these two words. Why? Words can change in meaning over time. If we truly understand the value of reverence it will change the way we react toward God and ultimately toward one another. The thing missing in so many relationships is an attitude of reverence or a sense of respect for the other person. Often times we demand respect but don’t always give it. In today’s passage God says, cursed is the one who vows to give me his best but when the time comes he exchanges it for second best. Then He explains why. HE says, “My name is to be “dreadful” or “revered” among the heathen of the world. So what does God expect from His children, Fear or Reverence? I submit to you that HE has the right to expect both! We had better learn how to revere HIS Holy name and the power He holds on this universe! We need to learn that a healthy self respect is intrinsically tied to how we respect HIM! To disrespect Him, is to erode our own sense of purpose and to thwart our God given destiny. God is King! He is to be feared for the judgment He holds in His own power toward those who defy HIM! Our relationship to Him should demonstrate to the world that we “fear” His judgment on sinful, rebellious people but we hold Him in the highest most esteemed position in our life! Can we say, “We truly Reverence your Holy name, God, Jehovah, Christ-Jesus!”
Making Christ Known, Equipping His Followers, Pastor Dwayne