Scriptural Foundation:
Malachi 2:5-6 New Living Translation (NLT)
“The purpose of my covenant with the Levites was to bring life and peace, and that is what I gave them. This required reverence from them, and they greatly revered me and stood in awe of my name. They passed on to the people the truth of the instructions they received from me. They did not lie or cheat; they walked with me, living good and righteous lives, and they turned many from lives of sin.
Jeremiah 20:9 New Living Translation (NLT)
But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in His name, His word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!
Reflection:
Reverence is defined as a deep respect for someone or something. As a child, I had so much fear of the Lord that I thought I knew. Along with my parents of course this fear/reverence kept me on the straight and well into my young adult years. Growing up I never cussed. Call it catholic guilt, but I had it in my head, among other things, if I did that the Lord would strike me with a bolt of lightning or something. Then I went off to college…yes, I lived under a rock and I loved it there! I met all these good people doing not so good things and they seemed alright. Sad, but true the most I ever experimented in college was cussing. Well when I tried it on for size…not only did it not feel right, but it didn’t sound good coming out my mouth. I actually had close friends asking me to stop doing it!
Did I make some mistakes yes! Meeting the world’s challenges for the first time in college had me far behind when I mixed and mingled with the world. However, looking back I see the Lord’s hand at every juncture of my life. He had picked me for a purpose and that purpose wasn’t going to be tainted. The Lord is calling out to everyone, but there is only a few people that stop to listen. These individuals that pause to listen are obligated with how we live out our lives to be Levites to the people that we come across in life.
I think that is why I have such a fire in my belly when it comes to the things of God. How can a Lord that loves you so much that He knows the number of hairs on your head not be held in reverence at all times? The answer, He wants to recognize and love Him for who He is. It is said that the devil gets a lot more sound bites in some people’s lives than testimonies as to how great our God is. When a challenge or tragedy arises, most Believers jump to the devil and how he is attacking them. Can I kick a holy cow for you all…you let the devil in to make a mess in your Eden. Just like Adam and Eve didn’t stay watchful in prayer and actions, most times we as Believers get lulled away by worldly things that in the beginning seem innocent, but in the end has your life in ruins. Getting a small credit card to establish your credit…taking an extra pill for the pain in your back to get through the day…entertaining the advances from the person that is not your spouse…all these things start small and innocent at first, but it provides a crack for the devil to slither his way into our minds. You have come too far in this life…seen too much to give up your inheritance now! Don’t you know you have an inheritance here on earth, the fruit of the Spirit and then a greater one when you get to heaven? Don’t let the devil steal the reverence you have for the on true and living God.
Seeking Revelation:
Grab your notebook:
- In what areas of your life is not reflecting the reverence of the Lord? What actions in your life is causing you to live below your inheritance?
- Present these things to the Lord and ask Him to help you change them. Remember you may be the only epistle some unbelievers will ever “read”. Make it be one that gives glory and honor to God that will draw them to Jesus.