I’ve been studying Ecclesiastes and sharing my thoughts. So far I’ve discovered “Life is Meaningless” and questioned if it’s “Possible to Please God.” Today I’m in chapter 5, hoping to glimpse a revelation of the last thing God laid upon my heart. To stand in awe of him!
What does that mean really?
I sing worship songs about standing in awe of him, but do I actually feel it, live it, do it? Is it possible in today’s day and age to really know the awesomeness of God? I think so, but confession time…for me, it’s been a while since I’ve stood in awe of him!
But I want to, really want to, so I thought I’d take a look in The Message bible today. Just for fun to see if there’s any new revelation I could learn.
Ecclesiastes 5
God’s in Charge, Not You
1 Watch your step when you enter God’s house.
Enter to learn. That’s far better than mindlessly offering
a sacrifice,
Doing more harm than good.2 Don’t shoot off your mouth, or speak before you think.
Don’t be too quick to tell God what you think he wants to hear.
God’s in charge, not you—the less you speak, the better.3 Overwork makes for restless sleep.
Overtalk shows you up as a fool.4-5 When you tell God you’ll do something, do it—now.
God takes no pleasure in foolish gabble. Vow it, then do it.
Far better not to vow in the first place than to vow and not pay up.6 Don’t let your mouth make a total sinner of you.
When called to account, you won’t get by with
“Sorry, I didn’t mean it.”
Why risk provoking God to angry retaliation?7 But against all illusion and fantasy and empty talk
There’s always this rock foundation: Fear God!
The first thing that came to my mind while reading this, is that I’ve become too casual with God. We’ve become too casual with God as a Christian community. Though I love the intimacy casualness brings, dare I say it might be driving away the awe? At least that’s how I see it.
Is it possible to stand in awe of someone you’re comfortable and intimate with? Think about it this way. When you see a celebrity on television or a famous author’s name on a book, you feel a sort of awe. Who is that person? How did they get to the place, what’s their life like, etc. But once you get to know them as a real person, that awesomeness fades and we see them as they really are. Human.
But God isn’t human, he’s divine and yet I think we…I have become too comfortable with him, with his presence that I forget I should stand in awe.
What’s your take on this? Is it easy for you to stand in awe of God or do you struggle like me? And what helps you stand in awe of God?
SOOO true! I treat God like a dependable old friend and call on him when I need Him instead of as the awesome Creator!!!
I agree we’ve lost a lot of the ‘awe’ in our relationship with God. I recently had a discussion about just this topic with a friend who works with the high school group. I remember a song when I was in high school and working with the youth group that espoused “Jesus, he’s my friend.” That song always bugged me because it was the epitome of casual. It helps me to remember, he’s not our buddy. He’s our Lord, and there’s a big difference!
PS I love the new location!
I completely agree. I too need to remember stand in awe.
I think Jesus can be both. We just need to realize the balance!
I loved this Gina. Sometimes it does get almost confusing, doesn’t it? Because we do have the privilege of having Christ as our friend, and have the wonderful opportunity, to serve without the bonds of legalism..but we must never forget Who we are serving…how mighty and holy He is.