Revere the Lord

Do you ever think about reverence? What does it mean to revere something or someone? Some would say that reverence is showing the proper respect or honor to a worthy object. What objects are worthy of our reverence. Here are a few people and places worthy of respect:

• God (Ex. 20:1-11; Deut. 5:6-15; Ps. 33:8-9; Heb. 12:28-29)
• God's sanctuary (Lev. 19:30; 1 Cor. 3:16-17)
• God's commandments (Ps. 119:48)
• Our fathers and mothers (Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16; Lev. 19:3; Heb. 12:9)
• Government leaders [by extension military and law enforcement] (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:17)
• Church leaders (1 Tim. 3:2, 8; 5:17; Heb. 13:17)
• Other believers (Rom. 12:10; 1 Pet. 2:17)

Paul reminds us that God is an object, that is, a focal point, worthy of infinite reverence. In 2 Corinthians 7:1 Paul states, "since we have these promises." The promise that he addresses are found in 2 Corinthians 6:16-18. They can be summarized as:

• He will live with us.
• He will walk with us.
• He will be our God.
• We will be his people.
• We will be his children.

These promises speak to the hope of returning to Edenic perfection. Mankind has a deep, innate yearning for the return to perfection. Mankind once existed in a perfect state in the Garden of Eden prior to the fall of Adam.

We want to return to that state. However, we cannot. We live in a state that doesn't permit us to enter into the presence of the Lord without the aid of a Mediator. The promises Paul alludes to in 2 Corinthians 7:1, all point to the fulfillment of that hope. In Christ, we will experience a future with no death, no exile, no sin, and no separation from God. We'll no longer be east of Eden.

Instead, we will experience belonging, love, care, and protection. God will be with us. We will be able to behold his glory in Christ Jesus, and he will wipe away every tear from our eyes. We will be given new bodies that are not subject to death, disease, or decay.

Until that day, we must strive to show God our reverence. Paul gives us the shape of reverence. We must "purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit," and we need to perfect holiness.

To purify ourselves of all contaminates suggests removing the things in our lives that draw us away from wholehearted devotion to the Lord. The author of Hebrews says something similar in Hebrews 12:1-3, when he tells us to throw off the weights and sins that easily entangle us, and to focus on Christ.

Perfecting holiness is the continual practice of walking in obedience to the Lord. Peter helps us to develop a plan for holy living in 2 Peter 1:3-11. God gives us what we need to live godly lives. We just have to pursue it with faith.

As followers of Christ we must heed Peter's warning, "Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives in reverent fear." We labor for his glory, knowing that Christ has secured our way.

A Stronghold for the Blameless

"The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers" (Prov. 10:29).

There are times that I have to scratch my head when I read Scriptures.  This verse is one of those places.  What does it mean when it says "blameless"?  At face value, it means those without blame.  Logically, we might conclude this meant sinless people.  However, many (all) of those who have found refuge in the Lord have been sinners.

Thus, blameless must not mean sinless.  Maybe it means those who cling, in faith, to the Lord without waiver.  Again, many of God's people wrestled with doubt, like Gideon and Thomas.  So blameless cannot mean doubtless.

Maybe it means that the Lord, in his grace, does not hold the believer "guilty," because another has bore the penalty of their sin.  Within the confines of the Old Covenant it would have been the sacrificial animal, in the New Covenant it would be the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.

Thus, to be blameless is to be counted as innocent, by grace through faith.  Those who seek refuge in the Lord find him to be a stronghold.  Those who reject his gracious provision destroy themselves.

Solomon's words remind us that two paths stretch before us.  We can chose to follow the Lord (wisdom) or turn from his way (folly).  To walk in the way of the Lord is life, but to ignore it is death.

Which way will you walk?  Is the Lord your stronghold? Or is he your opponent?

The Lord Our Rock

"To you, O Lord, I call: my rock, be not deaf to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.  Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary" (Ps. 28:1-2, ESV).

The Lord is our only source of hope. It is helpful to remember that he is not deaf, even though sometimes it feels as if our prayers aren't heard.  The process of waiting on the Lord, especially through difficult circumstances, can cause feelings of desperation.  It can feel that we are about to be consumed by the events surrounding us, and that no one cares what happens to us, but these feelings are far from the truth.

The Lord invites us to call on him, he delights in hearing and answering the prayers of his people.  He is our rock, unchanging, unbreakable, and solid.  In him we take refuge.  David reminds us that the Lord is the only one who can help.  If we cry to him in desperation, he hears.  If he hears, he brings about his glory and our good through our situation.  He the Rock upon which we should build our lives.