When the trees around my home are bent by the wind, thunder shakes the house, and heavy dark clouds throw themselves over me like a blanket, I feel awe! When our children were little, we would go outside during thunderstorms and stand under the overhang at the front our home to ‘enjoy’ the storm. Yes, it was awesome, in the truest sense of the word. What makes you stand still, be silent, and even feel a little afraid?
Isaiah called the people of God to reverence. He reminds them (and us) that God is awesome, worthy of respect. Taught to love God, some of us forget His awesome power, His perfect holiness. The people of ancient Judah were living in fear of their enemies, awed by the might of armies at their doorstep. Isaiah reminds that God, not the empires threatening them, was the One they should fear. And, with the proper awe, they would find God a ‘sanctuary!’
Isaiah called the people of God to reverence. He reminds them (and us) that God is awesome, worthy of respect. Taught to love God, some of us forget His awesome power, His perfect holiness. The people of ancient Judah were living in fear of their enemies, awed by the might of armies at their doorstep. Isaiah reminds that God, not the empires threatening them, was the One they should fear. And, with the proper awe, they would find God a ‘sanctuary!’
“Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread, and he will be a sanctuary; but for both houses of Israel he will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare.
Many of them will stumble; they will fall and be broken, they will be snared and captured.” Bind up the testimony and seal up the law among my disciples. I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob. I will put my trust in him." (Isaiah 8:12-17, NIV)
If you think awe is an idea only for the Old Testament, then read what Jesus says. He, too, tells us that awe is the foundation of secure peace. “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows." (Matthew 10:28-31, NLT)
If you think awe is an idea only for the Old Testament, then read what Jesus says. He, too, tells us that awe is the foundation of secure peace. “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows." (Matthew 10:28-31, NLT)
So what is awe?
It is an “overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, fear, etc., produced by that which is grand, sublime, or extremely powerful.” My love of the power of a storm is, in part, born of my conviction that it is the Lord who holds those storms in His hand. The wild winds and flashes of lightning remind me how puny I am and how powerful He is. And, then I think, He is my Abba (Father).
How big is your God?
Perhaps the better question is, have you invited the Spirit of the Lord to cause you to feel awe? We get ‘too big for our britches’ sometimes, don’t we? We live with the comforting illusion that we are masters of our fate, controlling the universe. Then, some situation arises that reminds us that in spite of our intelligence, plans, or money – we are mere mortals. In that moment, is there only terror, a feeling of helplessness? Or, do we match our smallness to His greatness, and with proper awe, find sanctuary in Him?
It is an “overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, fear, etc., produced by that which is grand, sublime, or extremely powerful.” My love of the power of a storm is, in part, born of my conviction that it is the Lord who holds those storms in His hand. The wild winds and flashes of lightning remind me how puny I am and how powerful He is. And, then I think, He is my Abba (Father).
How big is your God?
Perhaps the better question is, have you invited the Spirit of the Lord to cause you to feel awe? We get ‘too big for our britches’ sometimes, don’t we? We live with the comforting illusion that we are masters of our fate, controlling the universe. Then, some situation arises that reminds us that in spite of our intelligence, plans, or money – we are mere mortals. In that moment, is there only terror, a feeling of helplessness? Or, do we match our smallness to His greatness, and with proper awe, find sanctuary in Him?
Here’s a word from the Word. Meditate on this truth and find the security that is found in the fear of the Lord.
"Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD." (Psalm 34:9-11, NIV)
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." (Proverbs 1:7, NIV)
___________________
I Stand In Awe
"Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD." (Psalm 34:9-11, NIV)
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." (Proverbs 1:7, NIV)
___________________
I Stand In Awe
You are beautiful beyond description;
Too marvelous for words;
Too wonderful for comprehension,
Like nothing ever seen or heard.
Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom,
Who can fathom the depth of Your love?
You are beautiful beyond description,
Majesty enthroned above!
Too marvelous for words;
Too wonderful for comprehension,
Like nothing ever seen or heard.
Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom,
Who can fathom the depth of Your love?
You are beautiful beyond description,
Majesty enthroned above!
And I stand, I stand in awe of You!
I stand, I stand in awe of You!
Holy God to whom all praise is due,
I stand in awe of You!
I stand, I stand in awe of You!
Holy God to whom all praise is due,
I stand in awe of You!
You are beautiful beyond description,
Yet God crushed You for my sin.
In agony and deep affliction
Cut off that I might enter in.
Who can grasp such tender compassion,
Who can fathom this mercy so free?
You are beautiful beyond description,
Lamb of God, who died for me.
Yet God crushed You for my sin.
In agony and deep affliction
Cut off that I might enter in.
Who can grasp such tender compassion,
Who can fathom this mercy so free?
You are beautiful beyond description,
Lamb of God, who died for me.
Mark Altrogge
© 1987 Sovereign Grace Praise (Admin. by Sovereign Grace Ministries)
CCLI License # 810055
© 1987 Sovereign Grace Praise (Admin. by Sovereign Grace Ministries)
CCLI License # 810055
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