CONCERT OF PRAYER

 Pray Week 750

“Where is the Awe?”

Psalm 22:23 (ESV) You who fear the Lord, praise him … glorify him … and stand in awe of him…

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Our reference scripture verse mentions the ‘fear of the Lord’.  The word translated ‘fear’ means ‘reverence’. Reverence, as defined in Webster’s means ‘profound respect mingled with love and awe’.  Oh, how we have fallen!  As a society we have lost our sense of reverence for God, our Creator and Savior.

No matter where we go, we cannot escape being exposed to the disrespect of God and our Lord Jesus Christ.  Our movies and television programming have become increasingly secular and audiences are more open than ever to a wacky, nonreligious version of ‘the man upstairs’.  The Name of God and of His Son Jesus is blasphemed in casual conversation in the workplace as well as every other area of social interaction.  Where is the awe of God?  Where is the respect for His Name?

The truth of God’s Word tells us repeatedly that wisdom, knowledge and understanding is directly linked with our reverence for God.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.  To him belongs eternal praise. – Psalm 111:10

The Word of God tells us that our reverence and awe of God is not to be limited to occasional church services and religious feast days.

…continue in the fear of the Lord all the day. – Proverbs 23:17

Are you offended by irreverence?  Do you laugh at jokes that belittle God?  Do you tolerate His name being used abusively?  Are you entertained by movies portraying God in a negative light?  It is too easy for us to get caught up in or to tolerate irreverence toward God.  Far too many Christians fear peer pressure and ridicule so they ‘play along’.

So what is a Christian to do in the workplace when confronted with disrespect for God?  If a social gathering of coworkers is the context for blasphemous talk, quietly leave the gathering.   Sometimes we are exposed to vulgar blasphemy by our customers, many who use such words casually without even being aware of it.  In this context we cannot simply walk away.  In this case let the abuse of the Name of Jesus and our Father God prompt you to silently pray for these people and ask God to forgive and to change their heart.

We are in the world but not to be of it.  We are sojourners here with heavenly citizenship.  But while we are here we must be salt and light.  We must not become chameleon Christians that choose to blend in with our surroundings.  A coworker may ask you why you quietly left their social gathering.  This is an open door to share the truth of God’s Word in love without casting judgment or condemnation on others.

May the Holy Spirit fill you with a profound respect mingled with love and awe for God.  May you have zeal for reverence for God that Jesus demonstrated when He walked this earth.

Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! – Psalm 33:8

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & dedication of your work to the glory of God