I wrote this a while back, but it’s still true.
The other day I was watching TV, not really paying attention, and I noticed a movie preview proudly proclaiming that critics called their movie “Irreverent”. I wondered how irreverence could be considered a good thing. It got me thinking at work today about irreverence, mostly in the spiritual context. Though I understand the word and its use, I decided to look it up for clearer meaning. The following quoted from thefreedictionary.com:
ir·rev·er·ent (-rvr-nt)
adj.
1. Lacking or exhibiting a lack of reverence; disrespectful.
This is something our culture likes to boast about. I find that sad. But further than that, as I mentioned, I thought about it in the spiritual context. Was I irreverent toward God? Some in the older generation might say that not dressing up for church was irreverent. The slang I sometimes use might be considered irreverent. But I went deeper than that. How about the times I find it easy to ignore God. How I can shove Him off in a corner when I don’t have time. How I can not talk to Him in a day if I don’t feel like it. Furthermore.. how I can go any amount of time without praising Him for his unfathomable mercy. It is ridiculously easy to forget about God.. or even to ignore Him. We are supposed to be God’s people.. yet we lack the proper respect and fear of the LORD. I decided to search the word Reverence in the NIV. I will include only a portion of the verses I found:
It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. -Deuteronomy 13:3-5
Observe my Sabbaths and have reverence for my sanctuary. I am the LORD. -Leviticus 19:29-31
But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple. -Psalm 5:6-8
The nations will fear the name of the LORD, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory. -Psalm 102:14-16
Although a wicked man commits a hundred crimes and still lives a long time, I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God. -Ecclesiastes 8:11-13
Who should not revere you, O King of the nations? This is your due. Among all the wise men of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is no one like you. -Jeremiah 10:7
But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. -Malachi 4:1-3
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. -2 Corinthians 7:1-3
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. -Hebrews 5:6-8
I bolded the two that really stood out to me. And I think the verse from Jeremiah 10:7 is a new favorite. There is no one like Him. We owe God this reverence. If anyone reads this, please think about this. Think about how you can live your life in Reverence of the Lord. Pray for me if you pray, and I will pray for you, that we may both rise to a new level of love and respect for the God of the universe.
