8 DECEMBER 2023

 

Worship

“Those who fear Him.” (Luke 1:50)

A few days ago, I mentioned the fact that when sheep (us!) worship God, we are called upon to do it loudly and noisily. There is an expectation in the Bible that when God’s people worship Him, they do so exuberantly and joyfully.

However, I don’t want you to think this is the only way to worship God.

Mary draws attention to this by using an interesting word in Luke 1:50 which is directly associated with worship – “fear.”

The idea being expressed is of “reverential fear of God.” It’s not a fear that causes you to run from Him in terror, but a fear that changes the way you live. Because you have reverence for God you seek to please Him with every aspect of your life.

We see this fear of God in Mary. The way she surrenders to God’s will, inspiring her magnificent song of praise as she rejoices in what God has done for her and future generations.

The “fear of God” reminds us that how we live our daily lives is essential and vital to our worship of God. We can sing as loudly as we like in church, but if we nurse a grudge against someone, or talk behind their back, then there is something amiss with our worship.

The problem for all of us is it’s very easy to leave our worship at the church door as we leave and slip comfortably back into our usual ways of living, without anything changing.

The birth of Jesus doesn’t leave room for that kind of option. Everyone involved in that holy and momentous event had their lives changed forever.

And it must be so with us.

Because of what Jesus has done for us, Paul encourages us to “imitate God in everything (we) do, following the example of Christ.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)

This is the “fear of God.”

This is true worship.

How can an understanding of the fear of God help you grow in your worship this Christmas?