GodReflection: Power Words

Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. – David King of Israel

God’s native tongue is mystery.

God created language.

He understands every syllable of every communication on earth. However, there is a sense that all language is inadequate in expression.

The word “revere” illustrates a feeble attempt in the English language to express an inexpressible idea.

I grew up inside of church. My parents branded the basics of reverence into my DNA.

For worship that meant to shine my shoes, wash behind my ears, comb my hair, brush my teeth, and put on my Sunday-Go-To-Church clothes. It also meant I was not to talk or goof-off in church. It meant I was to bow my head at prayer time; I was to sing, and listen to the sermon.

Reverence on the other six days of the week meant I wasn’t to cuss, nor use any replacement words like gosh or darn.

Perhaps that was a good start. However, it is inadequate for my adult walk. Once again, how can I describe reverence?

I haven’t made a list of top ten power words to this point. Reverence would surely be on my list were I to do so.

Reverence is recognition of God as the “I am.” Reverence flows from relationship. Rule observance Christianity has it backwards. Reverence doesn’t result from rules. Action flows from reverence.

Cultural Christianity doesn’t result in reverence. Reverence doesn’t describe those times when I practice religion out of habit.

When Moses encountered God—reverence made the ground holy.  I am to stand in awed silence as I enter into the Temple of God’s presence throughout my activities of each 24-hour day,

I am to live from the posture of reverence before Almighty God. Obviously, I join with the crowd of those who aspire to a life of reverence even though we are not very consistent at it.

I like the summation of the Apostle Peter, “Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.”

Reverent fear is to stand awe struck.

Reverence is to revere. Reverence is to trust. Reverence is to worship. Reverence is to pray. Reverence is to listen. Reverence is to obey. Reverence is to live under the umbrella of the Almighty. Reverence is to repent.

Reverence is to accept His forgiveness and His grace. Reverence is to live at peace. Reverence is to live in sexual purity. Reverence is to stand in awe of a powerful God who creates. Reverence is to submit. Reverence is to be light and salt.

Reverence is to stand naked before the Creator of the universe in the face of need.

Reverence is a non-existent word in the vocabulary of the world.

I want to do a better job in its daily use as a power word to guide my walk.

What would you add to enrich the definition of reverence as a word of power?

Stay tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells – A God Reflection on Reverence as a Power Word.

Gary@GodReflection.org