Standing in Awe
Psalm 33:8 Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
This year our family has been fortunate to be able to go on adventurous hikes that have left us in complete awe when we saw the great beauty in the diversity of the nature that God created. My wife and I went hiking in the rain and camped alongside a river and saw several beautiful waterfalls. One of them was called Tunnel Falls because you walk behind the waterfall in a tunnel to get to the other side. Oh how nice the sounds of hearing the waterfall crashing into the creek was! With two of our oldest boys we were able to do a 46 mile round trip hike up Mount Olympus to see the glistering blue glacier and on a separate day hike climb up to the peak of Mount Saint Helens. With my younger boys we were able to hike through different valleys. As a family we were able to see the magnificent beauty of Zion National Park and some of us hiked up to the top of Angel’s Landing. According to some reports is considered one of the top three most dangerous day hikes in America but the beauty of the canyon from up top is without comparison. We got to hike The Narrows through the Virgin river which flows between a canyon of incredible rock and saw a cold spring bubbling over a rock at the end. I was able to see the amazing geological formations of Bryce Canyon while the rest of my family took a day of rest. On our way to see the Grand Canyon we stopped by Horseshoe Bend and saw the beauty of the rock carved from the massive waters from the global flood of Noah’s day. It’s amazing that even through an act of judgement, God then made all things new and beautiful again.
1 Chronicles 16:12 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
As we stood in awe of the beauty of God’s creation we couldn’t help but give God praise for what we were able to experience. I was reminded that there is so much more than just God’s earthly creation to be in awe of God about. Here are a few things that would be helpful for us to be mindful to be in awe of our creator.
Jesus
For the Christian it almost goes without saying, but let us never lose the awe of the salvation that God gives us in Christ Jesus. Salvation from our sin and the consequences thereof is definitely something to be in awe about. How grateful we can be that we no longer even have to spend a minute in hell let alone for all eternity separated from fellowship with God. However, let us recognize that greater than salvation is Jesus himself. In him we live, and move, and have our being (Acts 17:28). It’d be better to experience hell on earth, with Jesus, than in a heaven without Jesus.
His Grace
May we forever be in awe of God’s grace and mercy. God’s grace being his unmerited favor, mercy being that he doesn’t punish us according to what we deserve. Our unrighteousness Jesus freely took upon himself, and his perfect righteousness he offers to us through believing the gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 4).
Care in the Storm
Jesus told us that we would experience trials and hardships in this life, but we learn from his time with his disciples that Jesus was with them even in the midst of storms. He can say to the storm “peace, be still” and there become a great calm. Even when there isn’t calmness and we’re still in the fire, we can be assured that Jesus is there with us (Daniel 3:25).
God’s Word
When our Bible cover is always closed then we miss out on this one, but when it’s open and we’re reading it, it can be like finding an oasis when life was feeling like a desert. From God’s word we are warned of many dangers, shown how we can have an abundant life filled with joy, and to continue to grow in our walk with the Lord. Psalm 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, That I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Psalm 119:161 …my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
A New Hope
God gives us a new life that includes a new hope. God doesn’t hold us in bondage to our past. He gives us a hope that overcomes all despair that we may have faced in our life. Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
He Hears Us
Not only does God hear our prayers, he takes interest in hearing us. As a father loves to give good gifts to his children, our Heavenly Father takes pleasure in answering our prayers. Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Peace
Not only does God give his children peace, its a marvelous peace that the world doesn’t understand. I stand in amazement of the peace that God gives me even when the world, economy, governments, etc, are all plummeting to new lows and crime and wickedness peaking at new highs. There is nothing for children of the King of kings to worry about! Philippians 4:6–7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Purpose
God not only saved us by his grace, he also gives us purpose in life. As I see many in the world sadly sitting around living like they have no purpose in life, my soul feels burdened for them and it reminds me to be thankful that I’m able to wake up every day understanding that God has a purpose for my life. Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
A New Creation
Along with a new hope in this life, we are eagerly waiting for a future new creation. A new heaven and a new earth not tainted by sin and its curse. As much as I enjoy hiking in God’s beautiful garden called earth, I can’t even imagine how amazing and beautiful the new earth will be like! See Revelation 21.
Church
Oh the marvelousness of the wisdom of God in establishing the church. What a privilege it is that we get to be members of his body, to be exhorted by the preaching of God’s word, to worship Jesus in community, to edify one another, to help carry burdens for each other, and there are many other benefits that God loads us with by being a part of his church. While some may feel it’s a chore coming to God’s local assembly, I look forward to being with God’s people on the first day of the week (Hebrews 10:24-25). As Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost, he chose to use us in the continuation of that mission till he comes again (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8).
He Will Never Leave Us
Let’s be real. In life, broken relationships happen. Best friends sometimes get to the point where they don’t even see each other anymore. While just about every new marriage plans on being married for life, divorce sadly happens on a large scale. Relationships between parents and children are sometimes dissolved. How much more meaningful is it to know that God will never leave us. He’s never going to take away the salvation he’s given us. It’s called everlasting life for a reason. It’s eternal! What awe we can have for a gracious God that will never leave us! Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Let the world see you in awe of your God. We aren’t to keep our excitement about our God to ourself, or revealed only when we are at church services. The heathen, the lost ought to see us in awe and praise to our God. It may be your testimony that God uses to draw them to himself. Live your faith out loud as you stand in awe of your God.
Psalm 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
We can go on and on about what things we can be in awe about our Saviour. Our God is truly marvelous! What are some things you’re in awe of God about? Let me know in the comments.
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