Tag: holy reverence
Living in exile!
Scripture reading for October 19th: Jeremiah 43, 44, 46, 2nd Peter 1
2nd Peter 1: 14-19 “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He Who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on Him as Father Who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”
Our journey on earth is likened by Peter as living in exile from our true home in the holy presence of God. Holiness is the character of God the Father and Jesus Christ as well as the Holy Spirit. The word for ‘holy’ means ‘set apart’ and God is truly set apart from all other beings. His holiness and perfection allow Him to judge impartially each person made in His image and called His ‘children’. He knows all things past, present and future. These sobering truths should motivate us to live in holy reverence and separation to God Who loved us enough to redeem us from our sin and rebellion through the blood of Jesus Christ. God raised Jesus from the dead and revealed Him as God the Son to all who look to Him in faith.
2nd Peter 1:20-21 “He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but wad made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”
Prayer: Holy Father, I am in awe and holy respect for You and Your holiness and loving plans to save and redeem Your people and even to restore them from captivity that they brought upon themselves by disobedience. As I live in exile from my eternal holy home with You, set me apart daily to be holy and to live in reverence and hope, knowing that You will soon return to fulfill all prophetic promises!
Jeremiah 46:27 “But fear not, O Jacob My servant, nor be dismayed, O Israel, for behold, I will save you from far away, and your offspring from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return and have quiet and ease, and none shall make him afraid.”
Holy reverence
Scripture reading for February 22nd: Leviticus 12-14, Psalm 111, Hebrews 5
Hebrews 5:7-10 “In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him Who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered. And being made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, being designated by God a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek.”
The fear of the Lord–holy reverence for the power and majesty of God and holy reverence for His holy Name is the foundation of wisdom. The psalmist told of the blessedness of those who practice respect and reverence for God. God give them good understanding and reveals to them His covenant love. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, also demonstrated a holy reverence for His Father and fully submitted to His will in going to the cross and tasting death for us. He was made perfect through suffering and offering His own body and blood in perfect reverence for God’s eternal plan of salvation. He was designated by God to be our High Priest forever and ever! Praise His Holy Name!
Psalm 111:9-10 “He sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever. Holy and awesome is His Name! The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! ”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for the example of holy reverence set by Your Son. Thank You that I now have eternal salvation because of His perfect submission and holy reverence. Fill me with You Holy Spirit to empower me with holy reverence in my walk through this world. Use me as an example of holy reverence to a world that is increasingly profane and irreverent.
Leviticus 11:44 “For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.”