DID YOU KNOW
The Bible speaks often about fearing God, yet the kind of fear Scripture invites us into is not terror, but reverent awe. In Ecclesiastes 5:1–2, we are reminded, “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God… for God is in heaven and you are on earth.” The Hebrew word for fear, יִרְאָה (yirah), describes a posture of deep respect, humility, and awareness of God’s greatness. It is the kind of fear that draws us closer rather than pushing us away. In a world that treats God casually or even as a spiritual accessory, Scripture calls us to rediscover holy awe—the kind of reverence that reshapes how we pray, worship, and live.
This theme runs through Genesis, the Gospels, and the wisdom literature alike. From Abraham’s covenant dealings in Genesis 21 to Jesus’ confrontation of hollow religiosity in Matthew 15, God consistently calls His people to approach Him with hearts that are surrendered rather than self-directed. Ecclesiastes captures this beautifully by reminding us that God’s infinite perspective stands in contrast to our limited human vision. When we grasp even a small part of this reality, our relationship with God becomes not only deeper but more honest.
Did You Know… God invites us to listen more than to speak when we come into His presence?
Ecclesiastes 5:1 tells us to come to God ready to listen rather than rush to speak. This challenges a common pattern in modern prayer, where we often treat God like a suggestion box for our worries, dreams, and frustrations. The Hebrew word for “listen” here is שָׁמַע (shama), which means to hear with the intent to obey. God is not merely asking for our attention; He is inviting us into a posture of trust. When we listen first, we allow His wisdom to shape our requests, rather than forcing our desires onto Him.
Jesus echoed this same principle in Matthew 15 when He confronted religious leaders who honored God with their lips but not their hearts. Their words were plentiful, but their listening was absent. True reverence is not loud; it is attentive. When we quiet our hearts before God, we begin to recognize that His guidance is often more insightful than our plans. Listening transforms prayer from a monologue into a relationship.
Did You Know… God’s holiness is not meant to distance us but to draw us into deeper humility?
Ecclesiastes 5 reminds us that God is in heaven while we are on earth, highlighting the vast difference between His nature and ours. This is not meant to shame us, but to orient us. Isaiah had a similar reaction when he saw the Lord, crying out, “Woe is me!” (Isaiah 6:5). Yet it was in that moment of holy awareness that God purified and commissioned him. Holy awe does not push us away; it prepares us for transformation.
This is why fearing God actually leads to spiritual intimacy. Proverbs 9:10 tells us that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” When we acknowledge God’s greatness, we stop pretending we are in control. That humility opens the door for God to work within us. Reverence is not spiritual distance; it is the doorway to genuine closeness.
Did You Know… we sometimes use God to justify our desires instead of seeking His wisdom?
The story of Rachel and Leah in Genesis 30 shows how even sincere people can manipulate spiritual language to pursue personal agendas. They spoke of God, but often in ways that supported their rivalry rather than surrendered trust. This pattern still exists today. We can easily wrap our ambitions, fears, and preferences in religious language without truly seeking God’s will.
Ecclesiastes warns us against this “sacrifice of fools,” where words are offered without thoughtful submission. God desires honesty, not performance. When we approach Him with humility, He reshapes our desires to align with His purpose. That is when prayer becomes transformative rather than transactional.
Did You Know… the God who is infinitely beyond us has chosen to live within us?
This is perhaps the most astonishing truth of all. The God who reigns over the universe, who commands galaxies and time itself, has chosen to dwell in human hearts through His Spirit. Jesus affirmed this miracle when He promised that the Spirit of God would live in His followers (John 14:17). The same God we approach with awe is the God who walks with us daily.
This reality transforms how we understand reverence. Fear of God is not about distance; it is about honoring the sacred presence within us. When we live with holy awareness, every moment becomes an opportunity to reflect His glory. The God of heaven is not far away; He is near, shaping our lives from the inside out.
As you reflect on these truths, consider your own posture toward God. Do you come to Him rushed, distracted, or self-focused? Or do you approach Him with reverent openness and a listening heart? Fear of God is not about anxiety; it is about awe that leads to trust. When we rediscover that holy wonder, our faith becomes not only deeper but more alive. Let today be a moment when you pause, listen, and honor the God who is both above you and within you.
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