Knowing GodSample

There are a variety of ways to show God respect
by Rev. Joel Gaertner

“Fear” is one of those words that does not have an overly positive feeling attached to it. People don’t usually think it is a good thing when we are told to “fear God.” However, when we use the word “fear” in reference to God, it often has another meaning—the idea of respect.

Let’s look at the different ways this verse teaches us that we can show respect to God:

1. After John tells us to “fear God,” he goes on to tell us to “give him glory.” We might wonder how this gives respect to God. Don’t we usually want to have the glory ourselves? John’s words remind us that as we stand in the presence of God, we have no reason to seek glory, but rather owe God all the glory and respect for all he’s given to us and done for us.
2. John gives us another clear way we can show God all the respect he is due, “Worship him.” We can give God our respect as we talk to him in prayer, listen to his Word, sing his praises, and give him our thanks with our offerings.
3. John closes this verse with another reason we owe God our worship and respect: the world and everything in it he created. Other chapters in the Bible tell us creation is evidence of God’s power and divine nature (e.g., Romans 1:20).

This verse makes us think. Let’s use this verse to think about the respect we owe God and how we can show him the “fear” that we also owe him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are perfect and powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving. For all of this and so much more, we owe you the ultimate respect and honor. Forgive us for the times we have not given you respect and have sought it for ourselves. Thank you most of all for the gift of your Son and the forgiveness, salvation, and hope of heaven. We look forward to one day in heaven being able to give you unending respect and praise. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.