Approach with cap in hand.

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be Glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3).

We have high regard for those who are in authority, hold a powerful position, or are in charge of ensuring compliance to laws and regulations. Those who wield a sense of power over us deserve respect. We tread carefully when they are around because we fear the consequences of being found at fault. Just as children learn that there are repercussions to disobedience, we are aware of punitive actions that could be leveled against us. Reverence is showing respect, with honor and subservience to those in authority. God is The Highest Authority. He deserve reverence befitting His Majesty. He rewards those who fear and obey Him, and likewise punishes those who rebel. Rebellious children don’t get rewarded by their parents; their lives are riddled with trouble as they have run-ins with most authority figures in their lives. Likewise those who disregard God’s Authority will not live a fulfilled life.

“Reverence will curry favor with God.”

39 “Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that The Lord Himself is God in Heaven above and on the Earth beneath; there is no other. 40 You shall therefore keep His Statutes and His Commandments which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which The Lord your God is giving you for all time (Deuteronomy 4).” 

We reverence those who have the power to change the course of our lives. Until we acknowledge Who God is, we will not give Him the place of honor He deserves. He is Lord Himself in Heaven and on Earth, and there is none greater nor is there any like Him. He is God Almighty; He has all Power, Knowledge, Wisdom, and Authority to do as He pleases and to impact everyone’s life drastically. He has given us His Commandments to protect us from harm. Laws are put in place to protect us and those around us. We have to follow traffic laws, regulations at work, signs in public places; and at home we have rules for our children to abide by. God created us to live under authority, whether we like it or not. If we fail to keep His Commandments, we will not be able to respect other laws. 

If we keep His Commandments, the benefits will trickle down to other areas of our lives. It will go well with us, even as we will teach our children to do the same. God will bless the affairs of our lives, and our children will learn obedience from parents who obey God. He promises to prolong our lives in the places He has ordained for us because we delight in Him. Since God owns every place, as The Creator of the Earth and Heavens, He gives it to whomever He pleases. Reverence will curry favor with God. Blessings become the portion of those who do what is pleasing to God.

“It is a command to honor God’s day of worship.” 

2 “‘Observe my Sabbaths and have reverence for My Sanctuary. I am The Lord. 3 “‘If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey My Commands, 4 I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit. 5 Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land. 6 “‘I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove wild beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country. 7 You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you (Leviticus 26).”

There are days set aside to honor those who have had a significant impact in history. Sabbath or the day of worshipping God is a day that should be honored. It is a command to honor God’s day of worship. We take national holidays or have days that we don’t go to work because they recognize someone or an event. These days are set aside to commemorate achievements or celebrate particular people. We should therefore honor God’s day of worship and reverence His Sanctuary. We reverence His Sanctuary by listening to His Word, worshipping, praying, repenting and seeking Him. 

He will bless us when we honor Him. He will ensure that all our endeavors by the work of our hands are fruitful at each stage of preparation. He will protect our going in and going out. No one will cause us to fear when we have God watching over us. Our enemies will not be able to prevail against God’s Plans for us. Adversaries may think they are working against us, but they are wrestling with God’s Will for us. None of their schemes will succeed; they will be defeated by God, Who defends those who reverence Him.

“Glory is always to His Name and not to make a name for ourselves.”

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of Power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the Power of God (1 Corinthians 2).

Those who have been appointed to oversee the church or place of worship—God’s Sanctuary— have to be careful to not use their position for their own glory. They are to handle God’s Word with utmost respect. Speaking and teaching God’s Word with simplicity and clarity. The pulpit is not the place for the church leadership to entertain, or highlight their prowess to captivate an audience; it’s the place where God’s servants uphold His Word. They are servants like the rest of the congregation, given a mandate to speak and teach the Gospel of Christ, His death and resurrection, and to teach the Scriptures. No eloquent words will add to what is already magnificent and glorious. Christ Himself is the Head and Authority of the church body—The Body of Christ. His Spirit equips the leaders to speak The Word of God, and the Gospel of repentance and forgiveness of sins. No one’s spiritual life will be transformed by the flamboyant and flowery words of any preacher. Christ is The One Who changes lives, by His Power, and inner Work of His Spirit in a person’s life. He transforms them for eternity. Our faith is not in the pastor, or anecdotes of their life in Christ; our faith is only in the Power of God, The Wisdom of The Spirit of God—The Son of God, Jesus Christ. 

Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your Name give Glory, because of Your Mercy, because of Your Truth. 2  Why should the Gentiles say, “So where is their God?” 3  But our God is in Heaven; He does whatever He pleases (Psalm 115).

Serve God for His renown and not for self-aggrandizement. As those chosen by God to be part of His Kingdom plan, we must remember not to usurp glory that is His. Glory is always to His Name and not to make a name for ourselves. All we have has been bestowed to us. But for His Mercy, Truth, Love and Goodness where would we be! Our God is so Great. He dwells high above all created things. He acts and none can reverse it. He answers to no one; He does what pleases Him. If He delights in His Love and Goodness to us, then we are all the better for it. So Him alone do we have the pleasure to serve and love with all our being. It is an honor to give Him our best.

“Fearing God is having a constant awareness of His Presence.” 

29 “Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My Commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!(Deuteronomy 5)”

A heart that is reverent to God, by keeping and doing His Commandments, is commendable to Him. We can’t keep His Ways until we learn to fear Him. Fearing God is having a constant awareness of His Presence. If you know that a superior is watching you, you will be cautious to not put a foot wrong. Children know what they should not do when the parent is looking over their shoulder. As we fear God by obeying Him, we reap benefits for us and our children. The Lord promises that we will prosper in our endeavor to please Him and He will show our children favor because of our commitment.

Have a heart that fears God at all times and live a life that honors Him. He is Faithful to those who submit to Him. We serve The Most High God, Who is worthy of all honor. We should set aside a day to celebrate and worship Him, because He is Good, Holy, Merciful, Just and Loving. He does more for us than any of our loved ones. His Sanctuary should be sanctified and those who are called to lead and serve should glorify Him in everything. Keep His Commandments and it will go well with you all the days of your life. He will see to it that we are well taken care of, and He will fight our battles for us. Let the redeemed of The Lord fear The Almighty God.

“It is an honor to give Him our best.”

I will bless The Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2  My soul shall make its boast in The Lord. The humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3  Oh, magnify The Lord with me, and let us exalt His Name together. 4  I sought The Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed. 6  This poor man cried out, and The Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of The Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them (Psalm 34).