Scripture of the day
Psalms 2:11 - Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Over the years, I've had many jobs. But before each job, I had to go through the dreaded interview process. I put on my best clothes, review my past experience and then go in with the hope that I will be found as an acceptable candidate for the job.
In the beginning, I went in to these interviews with fear and trembling. I didn't know what to expect, who these people are and what they would think of me. Even though I think I'm getting a bit more comfortable of the process, I still get nervous just before I meet with the person hiring.
The fear and trembling I had during my interviews should be shown through reverence when we worship the Lord. Sometimes I feel like the reverence in churches today are being replaced with a warm, soothing, comfortable atmosphere.
The focus has shifted from how we worship God to how it will make churchgoers feel. I'm not saying all churches are this way, but I've definitely seen a trend.
And I've jumped on the bandwagon while attending church services. I used to get dressed in my finest clothes, bring my Bible and with anticipation look forward to worshipping God with reverence. Now some churches don't care if you bring the Bible, serve coffee during service and people casually show up late EVERY service.
We serve the God who created the heavens and the universe. Every breath we take and beat of our hearts come from God. And yet we treat God like a genie in a bottle only to summon Him when there's something we want.
As the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, we need to serve with reverent fear and rejoice with trembling. Not just at church but every single day. We must really understand who God is and who we are.
Society today tells us we are important, we are number one and we become narcissistic. We are more concerned about how many followers we have than following Jesus.
We need to take a step back, pause and reflect who we are and who are we following. Is it God or this world? If our priorities are in the wrong place, we need to change the way we think.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:2
It's easy to unknowingly drift into a way of thinking that the world wants us to be. It's only through continually reading of God's word and prayer that we can protect our minds against the desires of the world.
I've seen many churches succumb to worldly views. It's tragic and an abomination of God. They lead Christians down to a path of destruction. Let us always be aware of our surroundings and focused on Jesus, giving Him the reverence He deserves.
Heavenly Father, forgive me for being consumed by worldly desires. May my focus be on you and the things of heaven. May I serve you with reverent fear and rejoice in trembling. You are my King, my Lord and I will worship you.
In Jesus'name,
Amen.
