What practical steps can we take to live in reverence of God? Remember the Warning of Job 18:21 “Surely such is the dwelling of the wicked, and this is the place of one who does not know God.” (Job 18:21) Bildad’s sober observation reminds us that irreverence—living as though God were distant or irrelevant—leads to ruin. The antidote is to know the LORD and honor Him in every sphere of life. Below are practical, everyday ways to walk in that holy reverence. Step 1: Acknowledge God’s Reality All Day Long • Begin and end the day conscious that He is present (Psalm 89:7). • Whisper praise between tasks, letting worship interrupt routine moments (Psalm 34:1). • Say grace at meals not as a formality but a fresh confession that He provides (Acts 17:25). Step 2: Immerse Yourself in the Word to Cultivate Holy Fear • Read a portion of Scripture daily; start with Psalms or Proverbs if new to the habit. • Note every attribute of God you see—His power, mercy, justice—and let each observation feed awe (Proverbs 1:7). • Memorize verses on God’s majesty; recite during commutes or chores (Hebrews 12:28–29). Step 3: Translate Reverence into Immediate Obedience • When the Word convicts, act promptly (James 1:22). • Keep a short list: write down one specific obedience item per reading and check it off before day’s end. • Remember Ecclesiastes 12:13: “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Step 4: Guard Your Dwelling Place • Evaluate entertainment, décor, and conversations—do they honor the Holy One or mimic the world’s contempt? • Post verses in visible spots (Deuteronomy 6:9). • Echo Joshua 24:15: “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Step 5: Choose Reverent Companions • Spend purposeful time with believers who take God seriously (Proverbs 13:20). • Join a local church where Scripture is taught plainly and worship is God–centered (Hebrews 10:24–25). • Gently but firmly limit influence from scoffers (Psalm 1:1). Step 6: Prioritize Regular, Heartfelt Worship • Keep the Lord’s Day sacred; arrange the week so nothing crowds it out (Isaiah 58:13–14). • Sing robustly, remembering you address the King of the universe (Psalm 95:1–3). • Reflect on the cross during Communion; awe grows when grace is freshly savored (1 Peter 1:18–19). Step 7: Serve Others Out of Awe, Not Duty Alone • Volunteer where needs intersect your gifts (1 Peter 4:10). • When fatigue hits, recall you ultimately serve Christ, not mere people (Colossians 3:23–24). • Let acts of kindness be living sacrifices that declare His worth (Romans 12:1). Step 8: Keep an Eternal Perspective • Meditate on promised rewards and coming judgment; both reinforce holy fear (2 Corinthians 5:10). • Hold possessions loosely—“where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). • Journal answered prayers and providences to remember His faithfulness and stay future-minded (Psalm 77:11–12). Putting It All Together Reverence is not a mood; it’s a lifestyle shaped by constant awareness of who God is and what He says. Job 18:21 shows the tragic alternative—life apart from knowing Him. By acknowledging His presence, soaking in His Word, obeying swiftly, guarding our homes, choosing godly companions, worshiping fervently, serving joyfully, and living with eternity in view, we actively choose the path of holy fear and find the blessing reserved for those who truly know God (Psalm 25:14). |
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