Today is Part III in our series on how to live without fear, worry and doubt by being in “Awe of God”. So what is being in “Awe of God” and how can that help us overcome our fears?
Awe - A mixed emotion of reverence, respect, dread, and wonder inspired by authority, genius, great beauty, sublimity, or might: Dictionary by Farlex
Pictures of the Grand Canyon are amazing. When we lived in Phoenix, Arizona we went to see the Grand Canyon in person. When I stood at the edge of the canyon and looked out words cannot express the beauty, enormity and creation of God’s wonder. Pictures and words could never have conveyed what I saw and felt.
Many times we can read of God’s splendor, grace, mercy and power but very seldom do we “Stand In Awe Of God”. If, just if, we could stand in awe of God we would not fear anything in our lives. We start to fear when we put God in the same intellectual capacity as us. How will God protect me when I am this far in the hole, or this sick or ____________” If we are not in “Awe of God we will start to make God think like us instead of letting God be God.
Certainly all of us want understanding on how to live a Spirit filled, worry free life.
Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”
The beginning of wisdom and knowledge is the ”Fear of the Lord.” So how do we get this?
Job 28:1,2 “There is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore”
Job 28:12 “"But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?”
These are two great passage because it says we certainly know where to look if we want to find silver and gold but where is wisdom found?
Job 28:28 “And he said to man, 'The fear of the Lord--that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”
So now we are back at the beginning if we desire wisdom and to be in Awe of God we need to have a healthy fear of the Lord. So what does this mean? The “Fear” the Bible is talking about is more of reverence for our creator than a heavy fisted tyrant. God is perfect love, but God is also perfect in the “Just” category. We can’t hide behind Jesus all the time when it comes to our sin. To be sure Jesus paid the price so that we when ask for forgiveness with a repentant heart God will forgive us our sins. But we cannot use God’s grace as a license to sin.
So to be in awe we need to get back to basics. Basics for us is life. Take a breath right now and then let it out.
GOD ALLOWED THAT!!!!!!!!
Why do we take what God controls and then think we are in control? Sin is an arrogant self and a lot of us have an arrogant self who would rather trust in self than God. But it isn’t until we come to the end of ourselves that we see Jesus clearly. Jesus filters EVERYTHING before it comes to us EVERYTHING. Take your most prized possession whether it is your child, a job, your spouse, car, hobby and picture that in your hands. Then pray this prayer with me if you want to start to have victory over fear.
“Lord I am tired of being afraid and living in fear of what is to come. Please forgive me for doubting you. I want to lead a Spirit filled life of one that encourages others instead of living in fear. Lord you know in my hand right now is what I worry about most. Lord right now I am going to give that over to you. Please help me to do that as my strength is weak. Jesus I want to stand in “Awe” of you but I fall so far short. Please make this the day Jesus that my life will stop the cycle of doubt and fear and your joy will now flood my soul. Thank you Jesus for saving me and for giving me back the joy that I so desperately need.” Amen
Have a great day and EXPECT joy. God will bring it!!
Brad
