Honour and Adore - by YYADS
An encouragement from Chapter 3 of Awe of God by John Bevere:
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace [or 'be thankful'], by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our “God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29 NJKV [with some NIV]
This verse encourages us to ponder on these questions: What does it look like, practically, for me to esteem, respect, honour, venerate and adore God above anyone or anything else?
The book of Hebrew has many instances of comparison between significant historical figures (or traditions) and Jesus. Jesus was compared to Moses, Joshua, Melchizedek the Priest, Abraham, Jacob, the Law of Moses, a high priest, a covenant sacrifice and countless more things.
Hebrews 7:23-24 - “Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; [24] but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.”
Hebrews 10:28-29 - “Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. [29] How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot…”
Nearing Hebrews 12:28, the author writes about the time God warned the people from Mount Sinai. Vs. 26 says "At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, 'Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.'"
Vs. 25 had just said "If they [the people of Israel] did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?"
Yes God is love and yes God is patient and kind, but He is also a just God. Our God is a consuming fire.
John Bevere says "To fear God is to reverence and be in complete awe of Him."
The people in the old covenant had figures like Moses and Abraham to look up to. They had high priests and the Law of Moses to follow.
However, we have Jesus to follow. He fulfilled the Law of Moses, He is the eternal high priest and He is the one who walked amongst us and defeated death. How much more should we be inclined to follow Him?
In the last chapter of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon wrote this:
"Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind." Ecclesiastes 12:13
To esteem, respect, honour, venerate and adore God above anyone or anything else is to follow His commands. It is to obey His direction and surrender ourselves to His will. "If you love me, keep my commands." (John 14:15).
The fear of the Lord is not a scary fear, otherwise that would repel us from Him. However, the fear of the Lord draws us closer to Him. We don't just follow His commands because we're scared of Him. We follow His commands because we know He is sovereign and greater than everyone and everything. Our God is a consuming fire.
Anna Bonython