DAILY BIBLE READING:

Genesis 3:1–4:26
Matthew 2:13–3:6
Psalm 2:1-12
Proverbs 1:7-9

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 2:11 (CSB) “Serve the LORD with reverential awe and rejoice with trembling.”

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE(S):

If we were to simplify the Christian life, what words would we use to describe it?

Well, I’m glad you asked … because they are given for us in Psalm 2:11.

Psalm 2:11 (CSB) “Serve the LORD with reverential awe and rejoice with trembling.”

“Serve”

“Reverential awe” (some translations say “fear”)

“Rejoice”

“Trembling”

Let’s look at these words in hopes that we can understand them and make the necessary adjustments in our life to make them true of us.

“Serve”

It is human nature to live lives that are focused on “self.” In fact, Christians would call it the “sin nature” that creates this self-centered propensity.

But, our culture has discovered the join of serving others. From activities like “paying it forward” to volunteering at a local soup kitchen, people have discovered that mental health improves when we focus on others and not ourselves.

So, when we see the word “serve” appearing so often in the Bible, God is essentially telling us to engage in an activity that will provide many wonderful benefits for us.

While Christians are called to serve (love) their neighbor, our text tells us that we are to “serve the Lord.” This means that we live our lives for Him. We recognize that He gave us the gift of life and has also given us the gift of eternal life in Jesus. So, since we belong to Him because He died for us, we make the conscious choice to live for Him.

Imagine the adventure of waking up each morning and saying: “Lord, I am restfully available to You today. I am willing and able to do anything You desire of me. So, open my eyes so that I can see each opportunity You send my way. And warm my heart so that I will feel compelled, by love, to serve others and You this day.”

“Reverential awe”

We were made to love(!) reverential awe.

What causes someone to stand near Niagara Falls and remain captivated by water flowing over a cliff? What causes someone to stand on the rim of the Grand Canyon and gawk at a hole in the ground? What causes tens of thousands of fans to show up to a car race with the pungent smell of burning rubber and exhaust fumes? What causes someone to stare into the clear night sky at the millions of stars?

It’s because we are captivated by what is much bigger than us. We are captivated by what is much more powerful than us. If we are truly honest with ourselves, we love standing in awe of something that makes us feel so small and weak.

Friend, there is nothing bigger than the God who fills all of space and time. There is nothing more powerful than the God who created it all with only a word and who will destroy it just as quickly with a word.

Essentially, we are called to come into a greater understanding of just how amazing our God is. We are compelled to develop a greater perspective of His infinite power. With that in mind, we are then called to meet our soul’s deepest desire by standing in awe of Him and loving every moment of it.

“Rejoice”

When you think of God, do you think of Him as being stern and unhappy? Or do you think that He is happy?

Well, all we need to do is look at Genesis 1 to realize that after each work of creation, He stepped back and said, “Hey, that’s good!” After He created man, He acknowledged that it wasn’t good for man to be alone so He created a woman. Then, He stepped back and said, “Hey, that’s very good!” It sure sounds like God was pleased and happy.

Of course, we live on the other side of Genesis 3. We live in a sin-sick world. But, does that mean that God is unhappy? Nope. He is infinitely powerful and He is accomplishing all of His purposes. He never has to go to Plan B. In fact, He’s written the final chapter of earth’s history (the book of Revelation) and even though Satan has the playbook, he can’t do anything about it because God is just that powerful.

When we realize that God is completely in control and is pleased whenever He does anything, we can’t help but realize that God is a happy God. And He has called us to join Him in that happiness.

So, reflect on how wonderful God is and “take delight in the Lord” (Psalm 37:4).

“Trembling”

Pride could quite possibly be considered the deep taproot from which all other sins grow. We think we can be self-sufficient and we don’t need God. That is the soil in which every sinful act we commit grows.

You may not think that this is a problem for you but I would simply ask you one question:

“What is your prayer life like?”

If we feel as if we don’t need God, that we have our life under control, we won’t feel compelled to pray much. If we reflect on our prayers and realize that they are simply words (our heart isn’t in it), then that is a sign that we don’t see the value in speaking with and depending upon God. It is a sign of pride in our hearts. We don’t think we need God.

“Trembling” doesn’t mean we are terrified of God. No! He is our Heavenly Father.

We don’t cower before Him in fear. Instead, we are humbled before Him. We love Him and know that He loves us. But, we realize that He is God and we are not. So, we find it easy to bow in humility. In fact, we may come to discover the joy of humbling ourselves before God.

Conclusion

Friend, this post has been a little bit long but I hope that you have been able to see that God calls us to worship Him. But, when we analyze ourselves, we realize that our hearts were made to enjoy our God. We were made to enjoy the acts of worship to which we are called.

So, don’t satisfy yourself with empty, lifeless religion. Spend time this day and this year getting to truly know God … and enjoy experiencing the activities found in Psalm 2:11.

Psalm 2:11 (CSB) “Serve the LORD with reverential awe and rejoice with trembling.”

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