5 Verses to Help You Remember that God is Worthy of Awe

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It’s important for us to focus on God’s perfect and unfailing love . . . to remember that He is gracious and merciful watching over His children with care and compassion.

David wrote:

You, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

Psalm 86:15

That’s a word that blesses and encourages this broken sinner every single day.

But even as you and I focus on those wonderful loving tender character qualities of God, we must never forget that He is also the One before whom every one of us will flatten.

How do I know? Because every time God appeared to someone in the Old Testament or Jesus revealed His power and divine character . . . people flattened with face-down take my breath away awe!

Here are just some of the examples:

♥ Abram felt it.

 The Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—God Almighty.” At this, Abram fell face down on the ground.

Genesis 17:1,3

♥ Ezekiel experienced it and wrote:

This is what the glory of the Lord looked like to me. When I saw it, I fell face down on the ground.

Ezekiel 1:28

♥ Peter, James, and John lived it at Jesus’ Transfiguration.

A voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground.

Matthew 17:5–6

♥ Those who came to arrest Jesus in the Garden encountered it.

As Jesus said “I am He,” they all drew back and fell to the ground!

John 18:6

♥ Paul was changed by it.

As he [Paul] was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him,“Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”

Acts 9:3–4

And even the angels and elders are overwhelmed by it.

And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God.

Revelation 7:11

In God’s presence, people immediately realize that He is worthy of awe!

What does it mean to be “worthy of awe”?

The Dictionary defines “awe” as the overwhelming feeling of reverence, respect, fear, and wonder produced by that which is grand, sublime, or extremely powerful.

And when the created and broken come face to face with the Creator and Savior . . . they (we) will always experience overwhelming face-down awe.

But that’s not the end of the story because the Lord lifts up those who fall before Him in humble awe and worship. He is “God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 86:15)

So, let’s pause to praise and worship Him…

A Prayer of Worship and Praise the One
Who Alone is Worthy of Awe

Father, please forgive us . . . forgive me. We can so easily minimize who You really are. We look at You through selfish lenses. We want You to do our will rather than surrender our will to Yours. We fail to comprehend Your power and majesty, wisdom and understanding.

You are worthy of all my reverence, respect, fear, and wonder. You alone are worthy of my awe. You are Creator and Lord over all the creation and yet, You love each of us individually. You know every tiny detail about me. You know me better than I know myself . . . and still You love me.

You have always been faithful to keep Your promises. I know I can trust that You are who You say You are. I can trust that You will always do what You say.

I believe there will be a day when I will see You in Your glory and I will be flattened before You. But I also believe that because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, You will gently lift me up again and welcome me home. I love You, Lord. I thank and praise You . . . You alone are worthy of my awe and adoration. Amen.

A simple way to remember the definition of the word “awe” is:

Awe = reverence, wonder & respect mixed with fear.

Not fear that cowers and hides, but it is fear that bows in humble reverence, that doesn’t want to disappoint, that loves with respect and admiration.

God alone is worthy of awe!

When you and I recognize that truth . . . we acknowledge that He alone is the One worthy of our worship and love. He is El-Shaddai—God Almighty. He is compassion and mercy, unfailing love and faithfulness. He is worthy of heart, soul, mind, and strength love!

May God be with you and fill you with a sense of awe and wonder as You grow in faith and love.

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