Mar 14

Hebrews 12:28-29
Memorise Psalm 86:11
“...with reverence and godly fear”

The writer of Hebrews ends the chapter with this sober reminder: “For our God is a consuming fire.” This in the context of a reference to Exodus 20, when the LORD appeared at mount Sinai to give the law, where all the children of Israel demonstrated a reverential fear of Him. They asked Moses to speak to them in God’s place, because God’s spoken word alone caused the earth to shake, and His appearance was accompanied with thunder, lighting, the sound of a trumpet, and the smoking of the mountain. No one was allowed to come near the mountain – only Moses was given the honour and privilege of coming forth and being able to meet the LORD. Any who disobeyed would be killed instantly.

Today, we worship the same God who has not changed in His holiness, in His hatred for sin, or in His power and ability to bring to judgment all who disobey Him.

We need to remember that God has a standard that He expects from His children, which He has revealed to us in His Word. We cannot come before God flippantly when we worship Him – it must be done with all due reverence and godly fear. Because of the finished work of Christ, we are able to approach God – it is not our own merit. Therefore, we ought to come before God with the same godly fear that the people of Israel demonstrated at the foot of Sinai, knowing that we are only sinners before a thrice-holy God.

Worshipping with godly fear means that we come with a prepared heart, and that we are completely focused on what we are doing. We understand that God hears every word we sing, knows every thought that passes through our mind, and understands the motives of our heart. Therefore, it means we take great care when approaching Him, and we ensure that we are coming before God with clean hands and a pure heart, knowing that anything less is unacceptable in the sight of a righteous God.

Thought: Is my worship acceptable if I do not come before the LORD with godly fear?
Prayer: Lord, help me to remember Thy holiness, and to come before Thee with reverence and godly fear.