Reverence
There's another statement in this book about the home of the Murrays that caught me. It said this on page 22: “The chief characteristic of the Murrays’ household was a reverence. We reverenced God and God's day and God's Word.” That made me pause because I wondered if my own life is a life lived in reverence to God.
Reverence for God
This is an idea that is all throughout the Bible. All the way back in Deuteronomy 13, we read “It is the Lord your God you must follow and Him you must revere.” And the Psalms call us to this too, Psalm 22:23: “Revere him, all you descendants of Israel.” Psalm 33:8 says “Let all the earth fear the Lord, let all the people of the world revere Him.” Down in the New Testament, one of my favourite verses 1 Peter 3:15: “In your hearts revere Christ as Lord.” And then even at the end, Revelation 11:18: “The time has come for judging the dead and for rewarding your servants, the prophets, and your people who revere your name.” Those who revere God will be rewarded at the end.
Deep Respect for God
The word ‘revere’ means to feel a deep admiration or respect for something means. So for this house to be a house of reverence meant there was a deep respect for God, a deep admiration for God in everything. Now, that doesn't mean that we can't be full of joy. It doesn't mean that we don't laugh and smile. It doesn't mean that we're all dour and depressed. Of course not. In fact, reverence by its definition would mean joy, wouldn't it? It would mean joyful admiration. When you admire something, there's a sense of gladness.
What Do You Revere?
Who or what is revered in your household and in your life? Who or what is worshiped and looked up to? Let it be friends that yours is a life where there is great reverence for God, great joy in him - with fun and laughter that he's involved with, yes, but above all the great respect and admiration for the God of the universe.
You know, he's so great. He's so mighty. And if we just remember his size and his power, of course we would reference him. But not out of fear. Out of love. Here’s the key. You can be in awe of something totally frightened that it's going to squash you. But the Christian way is to love, to admire and be in awe out of deep love of God.
Today, with all your heart, soul, mind and strength friends, revere him! And may your homes, workplaces, everyone else you go be thick with reverence for the great God of the world.
