November 10, 2024 • 23 mins
What does it truly mean to stand in awe of God, and how can this profound reverence transform every aspect of our lives? Join me, Javier, on the Crossroads Collective Podcast as we embark on a journey through scripture and the wisdom of great Christian thinkers like C.S. Lewis. We'll explore the multifaceted nature of God's majesty, holiness, love, and righteous judgment, delving into how our understanding of His character shapes our daily lives and decisions. Through the lens of Isaiah's vision and biblical passages such as Psalms and Romans, we uncover the humbling effect of God's holiness, which makes us acutely aware of our own limitations and sinfulness.
In a rich discussion highlighting insights from theologians like John Calvin, Charles Spurgeon, and Jonathan Edwards, we reflect on the awe-inspiring balance of God's love, mercy, and justice. With scripture as our guide, from Psalm 8 to John 3:16, we admire the grandeur of redemption through Christ as a gift of grace that calls us to live with gratitude and worship. We'll discuss practical ways to honor God through lives marked by worship, devotion, rest, and prayer, turning every moment into an opportunity to marvel at His greatness. Whether it's through the daily practice of gratitude or the observance of the Sabbath, this episode invites you to embrace a life transformed by the wonder of God’s holiness, justice, and mercy.
I would love to hear from you!
For listeners looking to deepen their engagement with the topics discussed, visit our website or check out our devotionals and poetry on Amazon, with all proceeds supporting The New York School of The Bible at Calvary Baptist Church. Stay connected and enriched on your spiritual path with us!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 0 (00:00):
Hello and welcome to the Crossroads Collective
Podcast.
I am your host, javier, and Iam so glad to be with you today
as we dive into a topic that isas deep and powerful as it is
humbling.
Today, we are talking about theamazement of God.
This idea of reverence, thissense of admiration, is
something that every believerencounters at different points
in their faith journey.
But what does it really mean tostand in astonishment of God?
Why is it essential, and howcan understanding God's
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greatness transform our lives?
These are questions worthexploring, and that is exactly
what we are going to do togethertoday.
In scripture, we see that is notbeing in awe of God is not just
a feeling.
It is a response to themagnitude of who God is.
It is about recognizing hismajesty, his holiness, his love
and, yes, even his righteousjudgment.
Today, we will look at what itmeans to truly be in veneration
of God, and we will lean on thewords of scripture and the
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wisdom of Christian thinkers whohave spent their lives seeking
to understand God's nature.
So let us take a moment to praybefore we begin, asking for
God's guidance as we explorethis beautiful and profound
topic.
God, we come before you withhearts open, ready to be amazed
by who you are.
We ask for wisdom,understanding and a deepened
sense of respect as we look atyour word and consider your
greatness.
Help us to see with fresh eyesand open hearts.
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May we be humbled and inspiredby your majesty in Jesus' name,
amen.
So let us start with a question.
What does it mean to be in fearof God?
This is more than just feelingimpressed.
It is an overwhelming sense ofwonderment and shock, a
recognition that we are standingbefore something far greater
than ourselves.
When we talk about being in aweof God, we are talking about a
kind of bewilderment that goesbeyond words, beyond our
understanding, into a placewhere we feel the weight of
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God's glory.
Consider the words of CS Lewis,who remarked that our thoughts
about God define the directionof our lives.
He suggested that every act ofthe human soul matters, because
each one moves us toward God oraway from Him.
This powerful idea reveals howour perception of God impacts
our entire being.
It's not just our beliefs, butour actions, our decisions and
even the way we view others thatare influenced by this
understanding.
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Our view of God is like acompass guiding us in every
choice we make.
The Bible has a lot to say aboutthis kind of adoration.
In Psalm, chapter 33, verse 8,it says Let all the earth fear
the Lord, let all theinhabitants of the world stand
in esteem of Him.
The psalmist is not suggestingthat this devotion is something
optional.
No, he is saying it is aresponse to who God is, a
natural reaction when we beginto grasp his majesty.
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So when we say we stand inamazement of God, we are
acknowledging that he is beyondour understanding, greater than
anything we can imagine.
We are saying that his ways,his wisdom and his power deserve
our deepest reverence and that,my friends, are where the true
admiration and astonishmentbegins.
Now, if we are going to talkabout the amazement of God, we
have to talk about His holiness.
Holiness is what sets God apartfrom everything and everyone
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else.
When we say God is holy, we aresaying he is pure, perfect and
entirely unique.
There is no one like Him, andthat fact alone should fill us
with marvel.
Isaiah, chapter 6, verse 3,gives us a glimpse of God's
holiness.
In this passage, isaiahdescribes a vision he had of the
Lord, high and exalted, seatedon a throne with angels calling
out Holy, holy, holy is the Lordof hosts, the whole earth is
full of his glory.
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Just imagine that angels inGod's presence are overwhelmed
by his holiness, proclaiming itover and over.
They are not just saying he isholy once, they say it three
times to emphasize that God'sholiness is beyond anything else
.
Isaiah's response to thisvision is telling.
He does not stand tall andproud.
He says Woe is me, for I amlost, for I am a man of unclean
lips.
In other words, when he isconfronted with God's holiness,
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he is immediately aware of hisown sinfulness.
And that is part of what trueveneration does.
It humbles us.
It reminds us of who we are inlight of who God is.
When we start to seek God'sholiness for what it truly is,
we realize that he is not just abigger, better version of
ourselves.
He is entirely other, entirelypure, and that realization
should lead us to a place ofdeep respect and fear.
One of the most powerful ways tounderstand God's majesty is by
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looking at scripture.
The Bible is not just a book ofinstructions.
It is a revelation of who Godis.
It shows us His character, hispower and His glory.
Every page tells us somethingabout His greatness, something
that should inspire wondermentin us.
Psalm 145, verse 5, says On theglorious splendor of your
majesty and on your wondrousworks, I will meditate.
That is a beautiful versebecause it reminds us that
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reflecting on God's majesty isnot something we do casually.
It is something we meditate on,something we consider deeply.
Take the story of creation, forexample.
In Genesis, we see God speakingthe world into existence.
He does not need raw materialsor a helping hand, he simply
speaks and everything that comesinto being.
That is the kind of power weare talking about when we say we
stand in shock of God, and itis not just about his ability to
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create, it is also about hiswisdom in how he created
everything with such precision.
Romans, chapter 1, verse 20,reminds us of this, for his
invisible attributes, namely hiseternal power and divine nature
, have been clearly perceivedever since the creation of the
world and the things that havebeen made so they are without
excuse.
God's power and divinity arevisible in the world around us.
His creation is a lens throughwhich we can see his majesty and
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be reminded of his greatnessevery day.
And to borrow from John Calvin,he once said creation is the
theater of God's glory.
In other words, every sunrise,every mountain, every ocean wave
is a stage on which God'sgreatness is displayed.
That is why, as believers, itis so important for us to take
time to reflect on these things.
The more we recognize God'smajesty, the more we are filled
with astonishment.
And speaking of creation, letus talk about the bewilderment
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we can experience simply byobserving the world God has made
.
Have you ever looked up at anight sky full of stars and felt
a sense of adoration?
Or stood on a mountain andlooked out over a valley,
feeling so small and yet somehowconnected to something greater?
That is the esteem of God'screation.
Romans, chapter 1, verse 20, aswe just mentioned, speaks to how
creation reveals God's powerand divine nature.
But Psalm, chapter 8, verses 3and 4, brings it even closer to
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home.
It says when I look at yourheavens, the work of your
fingers, the moon and the starsthat you have set in place, what
is man that you are mindful ofhim, and the son of man that you
care for him.
Here, the psalmist is amazedthat God, who created the vast
universe, would care about us,and that is something truly
devotion inspiring.
Is it not that God, in all hisgreatness, is mindful of each of
us individually.
He knows our thoughts, ourstruggles and our needs.
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This sense of being seen andloved by the creator of the
universe is a source ofamazement that never fades.
John Calvin once remarked onthis connection, saying the
heavens declared not only thepower of God, but his goodness
as well.
When we look at creation, weare not just seeing God's power.
We are seeing his love, hiscare and his attention to detail
.
Every part of creation pointsback to him, inviting us to
revere his greatness.
As we dive deeper into thistheme of reverence, let us
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consider God's love and mercy.
Often we think of admiration interms of God's power or His
creation, but one of the mostastonishing aspects of who God
is lies in His love for us, anunconditional, unending love
that we did not earn and couldnever deserve.
Psalm, chapter 8, verses 3 and 4, captures this beautifully.
When I look at your heavens,the work of your fingers, the
moon and the stars that you haveset in place, what is man that
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you are mindful of?
Him and the son of man and thisis not just a passive feeling.
God's love moved him to act.
John, chapter 3, verse 16,reminds us of the depth of this
love, for God so loved the worldthat he gave his only son that
whoever believes in him shouldnot perish but have eternal life
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.
This verse is so familiar tomany of us that we can sometimes
lose sight of just how profoundit really is.
God's love is so vast andboundless that he would send his
own son to die for us.
That kind of sacrificial loveis a source of marvel that goes
beyond words.
Charles Spurgeon, a well-knownpreacher, once said I have a
great need for Christ.
I have a great Christ for myneed.
Spurgeon's words remind us thatGod's love meets us right where
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we are in our brokenness andneed, and lifts us up with mercy
and grace, and that issomething worth venerating, is
it not?
When we consider the love andmercy of God, our only response
should be one of humblegratitude and amazement.
Now there is another side toGod's character that we must
also stand in admiration of, andthat is His justice.
This is not always acomfortable topic, but it is a
vital one.
God is not only a God of love,he is a God of justice, and true
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esteem comes from recognizingthe fullness of who he is,
including His righteous angertowards sin.
In Deuteronomy 10, verse 17, weread For the Lord, your God, is
God of gods and Lord of lords.
The great, the mighty and aformidable God who is not
partial and takes no bribe.
God's justice is perfect.
He does not overlook sin orignore wrongdoing, and while
that might seem intimidating, itis also comforting.
It means we serve a God whocares deeply about what is right
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and who will ultimately bringjustice to all things.
Jonathan Edwards, a theologianfrom the 18th century, spoke on
this when he said the bow ofGod's wrath is bent and the
arrow made ready on the string,and justice bends the arrow at
your heart.
That is a vivid image and itreminds us that God's justice is
real.
It is something to be respected, something that should fill us
with astonishment.
But here is the incredible partGod, in his mercy, provided a
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way for us to be forgiven.
He sent Jesus to take on thatpunishment to satisfy the
requirements of justice on ourbehalf.
Romans, chapter 3, verse 25,says God put forward as a
propitiation by his blood to bereceived by faith.
This was to show God'srighteousness, because in his
divine forbearance he had passedover former sins.
So when we consider God'sjustice, we are not left in fear
or despair.
Instead, we are led back to thecross, where justice and mercy
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meet, and that friend is trulystupefying.
God's justice should lead us torevere him, to take sin
seriously and ultimately to findpeace in the salvation he has
given us through Jesus.
As we consider God's justice andmercy, we naturally arrive at
one of the most bewildering actsin history redemption.
Redemption is God's ultimateact of love, his plan to bring
us back to Himself, and it issomething that fills our hearts
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with adoration every time wethink about it.
In John, chapter 3, verse 16,as we just discussed, we see the
heart of this redemption, butthere is even more to unpack.
Romans, chapter 5, verse 8,says but God shows his love for
us in that, while we were stillsinners, christ died for us.
Think about that.
While we were still far fromGod, undeservingly living in sin
, he reached out to us with loveand sacrifice.
In Ephesians, chapter 1, verse7, paul writes In him we have
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redemption through his blood forforgiveness of our trespasses,
according to the riches of hisgrace.
Redemption is a costly gift.
It was not given lightly, buthis grace Redemption is a costly
gift.
It was not given lightly, butit was given freely.
God did not spare anything tosave us.
That is something to stand inamazement of, is it not?
As Charles Spurgeon once put it, when Christ died, he died for
you individually, just as muchas if you had been the only
person in the world.
Redemption is personal.
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God's love and sacrifice weredirected at each one of us as if
we were the only ones in need,and that personal touch, that
sacrificial love, fills us witha sense of reverence that goes
beyond anything else we couldever experience.
So what should our response beto this incredible reverence of
God?
Knowing what we know about Hisholiness, his justice, his love
and His mercy?
How do we live in a way thatreflects our admiration of Him?
Hebrews, chapter 12, verse 28,gives us a clear answer.
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Therefore, let us be gratefulfor receiving a kingdom that
cannot be shaken, and thus letus offer to God acceptable
worship with respect andastonishment.
Here we see that the naturalresponse to God's greatness is
gratitude and worship.
Worship is not just something wedo on Sunday mornings.
It is a lifestyle.
It is about living every daywith a sense of devotion and
esteem for who God is, whetherwe are at work, spending time
with family or serving others.
We are called to live in a waythat honors God and reflects our
reverence of Him.
Living in amazement also meanshumbling ourselves.
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James, chapter 4, verse 10,reminds us humble yourselves
before the Lord and he willexalt you.
Recognizing God's greatnessshould make us aware of our own
smallness, our dependence on Himand our need to live in
alignment with His will.
And lastly, living in admirationof God means seeking moments to
reflect on His majesty.
It means taking time tomeditate on His word, to go out
into creation and marvel at Hisworks, and to remember daily
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that we serve a God who is farbeyond our comprehension.
The more we focus on Him, themore our hearts are filled with
astonishment.
One of the most accessible waysfor us to encounter the
wonderment of God is through Hiscreation.
Imagine this for a momentstanding on the edge of the
Grand Canyon or watching athunderstorm roll in over the
ocean.
In those moments you get aglimpse of God's incredible
power and creativity, and it canbe overwhelming.
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Psalm chapter 19, verse 1, saysthe heavens declare the glory of
God and the sky above proclaimsHis handiwork.
Creation itself is like amasterpiece signed by God.
Each part of it the stars,mountains, rivers even the
tiniest creature speaks of hispower and mindfulness.
It is as if every part ofcreation is saying look at the
one who made me.
There is something humblingabout standing in nature, is
there not?
It reminds us of how small weare, yet how important we are to
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God.
Think about how carefully Godcrafted each part of the world.
Romans, chapter 1, verse 20, aswe mentioned earlier, tells us
that his invisible attributes,namely His eternal power and
divine nature, have been clearlyperceived ever since the
creation of the world In thethings that have been made.
Creation reveals God'squalities, his attributes and
His creativity.
Reflecting on creation is notjust about appreciating beauty.
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It is about letting that beautypoint us back to the Creator,
and when we allow creation tolead us into worship, we are
aligning ourselves with God'soriginal design.
This is why we, as believers,are called to not only enjoy
creation, but also to care forit and to steward it well,
knowing that it reflects theglory of God.
The theologian John Calvin putit this way creation is the
theater of God's glory.
What a powerful image.
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Every tree, every ocean andevery sunrise is like a stage
where God's glory is on displayfor us to see, and that is
something that should fill uswith admiration and gratitude.
Now, as incredible as creationis, it is not the ultimate
display of God's greatness.
That honor belongs to the actof redemption, the work of God
through Christ to bring us backto himself.
Redemption is the ultimateexpression of God's love and
mercy, and it is something that,quite honestly, we will never
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fully understand, but we canstand in bewilderment of it.
In John, chapter 3, verse 16,we see this love clearly, for
God so loved the world that hegave his only Son that whoever
believes in him should notperish but have eternal life.
Redemption was not an easy orcheap act.
It required a sacrifice beyondanything.
We can fully grasp the life ofGod's own Son, and this was done
for us while we were stillsinners, as Paul reminds us in
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Romans, chapter 5, verse 8.
But God shows his love for usin that, while we were still
sinners, christ died for us.
Charles Spurgeon once said thatwhen Christ died, he died for
you individually, just as muchas if you had been the only
person in the world.
Just imagine that for a momentGod's love was directed at you
personally in a way that iscompletely unique.
That kind of love, that kind ofsacrifice is beyond
comprehension and it fills uswith astonishment.
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In Ephesians, chapter 1, verse 7, paul also writes In him we
have redemption through hisblood, the forgiveness of our
trespasses according to theriches of his grace.
This tells us that ourredemption is grounded in grace.
It is not something we earnedor deserved.
It is something God freely gaveus, and that realization should
fill us with a sense of wonderand gratitude that we cannot
fully express.
So redemption is not just atheological concept.
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It is a powerful truth thatshould lead us to our knees in
respect.
When we reflect on what God hasdone to save us, we see His
holiness, his justice, His mercyand His love all come together
in one incredible act, and thatis something we should never
take for granted.
Redemption is the heart ofGod's love story for humanity,
and it is the ultimate reason westand in admiration.
So, having looked at all theseaspects of God's greatness, his
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holiness, his justice, his love,his creation and His redemption
, the question becomes howshould we respond?
What does it look like to livein a way that reflects our
amazement of God?
One of the clearest responsesis worship.
Hebrews, chapter 12, verse 28,calls us to this.
Therefore, let us be gratefulfor receiving a kingdom that
cannot be shaken, and thus letus offer to God acceptable
worship with reverence andastonishment.
Worship is not just aboutsinging songs on Sunday.
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It is about a lifestyle.
It is living in a way thatreflects our admiration for God,
honoring Him with our actions,our thoughts and our words.
Worship also leads us togratitude when we understand who
God is and what he has done forus.
Gratitude should be a naturalresponse, and this gratitude is
not just for the big moments.
It is for every day, everybreath and every small blessing
that we often take for granted.
Colossians, chapter 3, verse 17, encourages us in this way and
whatever you do in word or deed,do everything in the name of
the Lord Jesus.
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Giving thanks to God, theFather.
Through him, living inwonderment, means acknowledging
God's hand in every part of ourlives and thanking him
continually.
Another response to the esteemof God is humility.
James, chapter 4, verse 10,reminds us humble yourselves
before the Lord, and he willexalt you.
Recognizing God's greatnessputs our own limitations in
perspective.
It reminds us that we are notthe center of the universe God
is.
Humility is not about thinkingless of ourselves.
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It is about thinking ofourselves less as we focus more
on God's glory and His purposes.
And finally, living in devotionto God means seeking moments to
connect with Him regularly,whether it is through prayer,
reading His word or simplytaking time to reflect on His
goodness.
We need to intentionally makespace to be reminded of who God
is.
The more we dwell on Hischaracter, the more our hearts
will be filled with admiration.
It is not something thathappens passively.
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It is a choice we make everyday.
When we choose to live in awe,it changes everything.
Our priorities shift, ourperspective shifts and we find
ourselves more aligned withGod's heart and purpose for us.
So let us commit ourselves to alifestyle of astonishment,
letting the greatness of Godinspire us, humble us and lead
us into a deeper relationshipwith Him.
One important area where all ofGod should impact us is in how
we approach rest.
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We live in a world thatglorifies busyness, where
constant activity is often seenas a sign of success, but God's
design includes moments of restand reflection times when we are
called to simply be still andknow that he is God.
Exodus, chapter 20, verses 8 to10, commands us Remember the
Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Six days you shall labor and doall your work, but the seventh
day is a Sabbath.
To the Lord, your God.
Sabbath is not just a day offfrom work.
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It is a divine gift, a time setaside to reconnect with God, to
reflect on His goodness and toacknowledge His sovereignty.
Observing Sabbath reminds usthat we are not in control, and
that is a freeing realization.
It is God who sustains us, notour own efforts.
In Mark, chapter 2, verse 27,.
Jesus tells us the Sabbath wasmade for man, not man for the
Sabbath.
This means that rest is part ofGod's loving design for us.
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When we allow ourselves to pause, to breathe, to step back from
our work, we are acknowledgingGod's provision.
It is a way of saying God Itrust you to take care of what I
cannot, and that trust,releasing control and
recognizing our dependence onHim is at the heart of all.
Rest also gives us the chanceto reflect on God's work in our
lives.
When we pause, we see moreclearly how God has provided,
protected and guided us.
We remember the prayers he hasanswered and the grace he has
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shown.
Psalm, chapter 46, verse 10,invites us Be still and know
that I am God.
In those quiet moments, we arereminded of God's power and our
place within His creation, andthat quiet reverence, that
stillness, deepens ouradmiration and trust in Him.
So taking time to rest is notjust good for our physical
health.
It is essential for ourspiritual health.
It helps us refocus recenterand remember that we are not the
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ones holding everythingtogether.
God is.
Living in awe of God meansallowing ourselves the space to
stop and be refreshed by Hispresence.
In a world that is constantlyin motion, choosing rest is a
bold act of faith and adeclaration that God is enough.
Another area where awe of Godtransforms us is in our prayer
life.
Prayer is not just a list ofrequests.
It is an opportunity to comebefore the Creator of the
universe and communicate withHim personally.
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When we pray with a heart ofreverence, we approach God not
only with our needs but with.
In Matthew, chapter 6, verse 9,jesus teaches us how to pray,
saying Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name.
This phrase, hallowed be yourname is an expression of
amazement and devotion.
Jesus is teaching us to beginour prayers by recognizing God's
holiness, by honoring His nameand by reminding ourselves of
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His greatness.
When we approach God this way,it shifts our focus from
ourselves to Him, grounding usin a sense of reverence.
Philippians, chapter 4, verses 6and 7, encourages us Do not be
anxious about anything, but ineverything, by prayer and
supplication, with thanksgiving,let your requests be made known
to God, and the peace of God,which surpasses all
understanding, will guard yourhearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus.
Notice how Paul emphasizesthanksgiving here.
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When we are filled withastonishment for God, our
prayers are marked not just byrequest, but by gratitude for
all he has already done.
Living in wonderment also meanstrusting that God hears us and
knows what we need, even beforewe ask.
In Matthew 6, verse 8, jesussays your father knows what you
need before you ask him.
Isn't that bewildering?
God, in his infinite wisdom, isalready aware of every need,
every fear and every desire inour hearts, and knowing that
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fills us with confidence in ourprayers.
We do not have to approach Godwith fear or uncertainty.
We can come boldly, knowingthat he hears us and that he
cares.
In Hebrews, chapter 4, verse 16,we are encouraged.
Let us then, with confidence,draw near to the throne of grace
, that we may receive mercy andfind grace to help in times of
need.
This verse reminds us thatwhile God is holy and powerful,
he is also compassionate andaccessible.
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Our astonishment of God shouldlead us to approach Him with a
sense of deep respect, but alsowith a sense of joy and comfort,
knowing that we are welcomedinto His presence.
So when we pray, let us comewith hearts full of devotion,
remembering that we are speakingto the One who created the
stars, who knows our everythought and who loves us
unconditionally.
Let our prayers reflect notonly our requests, but our
reverence, our gratitude and ourtrust in His perfect will.
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Living in astonishment of Godalso influences how we approach
our work and our service toothers.
Whether we are working in anoffice, volunteering, raising a
family or ministering in achurch, every role we play can
be an act of worship when donewith a heart full of respect for
God.
Colossians, chapter 3, verse 23, reminds us Whatever you do,
work heartily as for the Lordand not for men.
When we are motivated bywonderful God, we approach our
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work not just as a task tocomplete, but as a way to honor
Him.
It does not matter whether ourwork is seen or praised by
others.
We know that God sees ourefforts and that is enough.
This perspective changes theway we see both success and
challenges.
In times of success, we do notboast in our own abilities.
We give glory to God,recognizing that every talent,
every opportunity and everyaccomplishment comes from Him.
And in times of struggle, wefind strength in knowing that
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our work has meaning beyond whatwe can see.
When we work for God, we arepart of something bigger than
ourselves.
1 Corinthians 15, verse 58encourages us.
Therefore, my beloved brothers,be steadfast and immovable,
always abounding in the work ofthe Lord, knowing that in the
Lord, your labor is not in vain.
This means that when we workwith a heart of reverence for
God, our efforts are neverwasted.
God sees every act of service,every moment of perseverance,
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and he values it.
When we serve others, we arealso living out our admiration
for God by reflecting His loveand compassion.
Matthew 25, verse 40 reminds usTruly.
I say to you, as you did it toone of the least of these, my
brothers, you did it to me.
Serving others with kindness andhumility is not just about
meeting physical needs.
It is a way of honoring God'simage in each person and
recognizing His presence inevery act of love.
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So, whether we are workingbehind the scenes, leading a
team, helping a neighbor orsimply doing our best each day.
Let us remember that our workmatters to God.
Living in devotion meansdedicating each task, big or
small, to Him and knowing thatin every moment, we are honoring
the One who created us.
Finally, one of the mostpowerful ways we express our
astonishment of God is throughworship.
Worship is not limited tosinging songs.
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It is an attitude of the heart,a way of approaching God with
reverence and gratitude.
True worship comes from a placeof recognizing God's worth and
responding to His greatness.
Psalm, chapter 95, verses 6 and7, invites us O come, let us
worship and bow down, let uskneel before the Lord, our Maker
, for he is our God and we arethe people of His pasture and
the sheep of His hand.
This passage reminds us thatworship is about humbling
(21:31):
ourselves before God,acknowledging that he is our
Creator and that we are His.
When we worship, we arereminded of God's faithfulness,
his love and His power.
We are reminded of all the wayshe has been present in our
lives, and as we lift our voicesor bow our hearts, we are
participating in somethingeternal.
Worship allows us to connectwith God on a deeper level, to
express our love for Him and toreflect on His goodness.
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Revelation, chapter 4, verse 11,says Worthy are you, our Lord
and God, to receive glory andhonor and power, for you created
all things, and by your willthey existed and were created.
When we stand in awe of God'sworthiness, our worship becomes
more than just words.
It becomes an offering from theheart.
So, whether we are singing,praying, reflecting or simply
being, let our worship come froma place of respect and devotion
.
Let it be a reminder of God'sgreatness and an expression of
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our love and gratitude for allthat he is.
As we close today's episode, Ihope you feel encouraged to seek
a deeper sense of amazement inyour relationship with God.
He is holy, just, loving andmerciful all at once, and is
holy, just, loving and mercifulall at once, and when we live
with a true understanding of hisgreatness, it transforms us,
humbles us, gives us purpose andfills our hearts with gratitude
.
(22:35):
We have talked about howastonishment leads us to worship
, to humility and to a lifestylethat honors God's greatness.
My prayer is that you will takethis message to heart and find
ways to live with reverence andjoy, knowing that we serve an
awesome God.
Let us pray together as weclose.
God, we thank you for yourmajesty, your love and your
mercy.
We stand in awe of who you areand we ask that you help us to
live with hearts that reflectthat astonishment.
May our lives be a testimony toyour greatness and may we never
lose sight of the admiration ofknowing you.
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Amen.
Thank you for joining us on theCrossroads Collective Podcast
today.
I hope this episode has broughtyou closer to understanding the
wonderment and majesty of Godand encourage you to live each
day with a heart full ofreverence.
Remember that astonishment isnot just a feeling, but a
response to who God is, and itcan transform every part of our
lives as we seek to honor Him.
If you enjoyed today's episode,please consider subscribing and
(23:16):
sharing it with someone whomight be blessed by this message
.
Your support helps us continueto bring these discussions to
life.
Until next time, stay groundedin faith, pursue a heart of
worship and let the greatness ofGod inspire you in every moment
.
May you walk in His peace andstrength and may your journey be
filled with admiration for allthat he is and all that he has
done.
Thank you again and God bless.
Thanks for watching.
Hello and welcome to the Crossroads Collective
Podcast.
I am your host, javier, and Iam so glad to be with you today
as we dive into a topic that isas deep and powerful as it is
humbling.
Today, we are talking about theamazement of God.
This idea of reverence, thissense of admiration, is
something that every believerencounters at different points
in their faith journey.
But what does it really mean tostand in astonishment of God?
Why is it essential, and howcan understanding God's
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greatness transform our lives?
These are questions worthexploring, and that is exactly
what we are going to do togethertoday.
In scripture, we see that is notbeing in awe of God is not just
a feeling.
It is a response to themagnitude of who God is.
It is about recognizing hismajesty, his holiness, his love
and, yes, even his righteousjudgment.
Today, we will look at what itmeans to truly be in veneration
of God, and we will lean on thewords of scripture and the
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wisdom of Christian thinkers whohave spent their lives seeking
to understand God's nature.
So let us take a moment to praybefore we begin, asking for
God's guidance as we explorethis beautiful and profound
topic.
God, we come before you withhearts open, ready to be amazed
by who you are.
We ask for wisdom,understanding and a deepened
sense of respect as we look atyour word and consider your
greatness.
Help us to see with fresh eyesand open hearts.
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May we be humbled and inspiredby your majesty in Jesus' name,
amen.
So let us start with a question.
What does it mean to be in fearof God?
This is more than just feelingimpressed.
It is an overwhelming sense ofwonderment and shock, a
recognition that we are standingbefore something far greater
than ourselves.
When we talk about being in aweof God, we are talking about a
kind of bewilderment that goesbeyond words, beyond our
understanding, into a placewhere we feel the weight of
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God's glory.
Consider the words of CS Lewis,who remarked that our thoughts
about God define the directionof our lives.
He suggested that every act ofthe human soul matters, because
each one moves us toward God oraway from Him.
This powerful idea reveals howour perception of God impacts
our entire being.
It's not just our beliefs, butour actions, our decisions and
even the way we view others thatare influenced by this
understanding.
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Our view of God is like acompass guiding us in every
choice we make.
The Bible has a lot to say aboutthis kind of adoration.
In Psalm, chapter 33, verse 8,it says Let all the earth fear
the Lord, let all theinhabitants of the world stand
in esteem of Him.
The psalmist is not suggestingthat this devotion is something
optional.
No, he is saying it is aresponse to who God is, a
natural reaction when we beginto grasp his majesty.
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So when we say we stand inamazement of God, we are
acknowledging that he is beyondour understanding, greater than
anything we can imagine.
We are saying that his ways,his wisdom and his power deserve
our deepest reverence and that,my friends, are where the true
admiration and astonishmentbegins.
Now, if we are going to talkabout the amazement of God, we
have to talk about His holiness.
Holiness is what sets God apartfrom everything and everyone
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else.
When we say God is holy, we aresaying he is pure, perfect and
entirely unique.
There is no one like Him, andthat fact alone should fill us
with marvel.
Isaiah, chapter 6, verse 3,gives us a glimpse of God's
holiness.
In this passage, isaiahdescribes a vision he had of the
Lord, high and exalted, seatedon a throne with angels calling
out Holy, holy, holy is the Lordof hosts, the whole earth is
full of his glory.
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Just imagine that angels inGod's presence are overwhelmed
by his holiness, proclaiming itover and over.
They are not just saying he isholy once, they say it three
times to emphasize that God'sholiness is beyond anything else
.
Isaiah's response to thisvision is telling.
He does not stand tall andproud.
He says Woe is me, for I amlost, for I am a man of unclean
lips.
In other words, when he isconfronted with God's holiness,
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he is immediately aware of hisown sinfulness.
And that is part of what trueveneration does.
It humbles us.
It reminds us of who we are inlight of who God is.
When we start to seek God'sholiness for what it truly is,
we realize that he is not just abigger, better version of
ourselves.
He is entirely other, entirelypure, and that realization
should lead us to a place ofdeep respect and fear.
One of the most powerful ways tounderstand God's majesty is by
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looking at scripture.
The Bible is not just a book ofinstructions.
It is a revelation of who Godis.
It shows us His character, hispower and His glory.
Every page tells us somethingabout His greatness, something
that should inspire wondermentin us.
Psalm 145, verse 5, says On theglorious splendor of your
majesty and on your wondrousworks, I will meditate.
That is a beautiful versebecause it reminds us that
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reflecting on God's majesty isnot something we do casually.
It is something we meditate on,something we consider deeply.
Take the story of creation, forexample.
In Genesis, we see God speakingthe world into existence.
He does not need raw materialsor a helping hand, he simply
speaks and everything that comesinto being.
That is the kind of power weare talking about when we say we
stand in shock of God, and itis not just about his ability to
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create, it is also about hiswisdom in how he created
everything with such precision.
Romans, chapter 1, verse 20,reminds us of this, for his
invisible attributes, namely hiseternal power and divine nature
, have been clearly perceivedever since the creation of the
world and the things that havebeen made so they are without
excuse.
God's power and divinity arevisible in the world around us.
His creation is a lens throughwhich we can see his majesty and
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be reminded of his greatnessevery day.
And to borrow from John Calvin,he once said creation is the
theater of God's glory.
In other words, every sunrise,every mountain, every ocean wave
is a stage on which God'sgreatness is displayed.
That is why, as believers, itis so important for us to take
time to reflect on these things.
The more we recognize God'smajesty, the more we are filled
with astonishment.
And speaking of creation, letus talk about the bewilderment
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we can experience simply byobserving the world God has made
.
Have you ever looked up at anight sky full of stars and felt
a sense of adoration?
Or stood on a mountain andlooked out over a valley,
feeling so small and yet somehowconnected to something greater?
That is the esteem of God'screation.
Romans, chapter 1, verse 20, aswe just mentioned, speaks to how
creation reveals God's powerand divine nature.
But Psalm, chapter 8, verses 3and 4, brings it even closer to
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home.
It says when I look at yourheavens, the work of your
fingers, the moon and the starsthat you have set in place, what
is man that you are mindful ofhim, and the son of man that you
care for him.
Here, the psalmist is amazedthat God, who created the vast
universe, would care about us,and that is something truly
devotion inspiring.
Is it not that God, in all hisgreatness, is mindful of each of
us individually.
He knows our thoughts, ourstruggles and our needs.
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This sense of being seen andloved by the creator of the
universe is a source ofamazement that never fades.
John Calvin once remarked onthis connection, saying the
heavens declared not only thepower of God, but his goodness
as well.
When we look at creation, weare not just seeing God's power.
We are seeing his love, hiscare and his attention to detail
.
Every part of creation pointsback to him, inviting us to
revere his greatness.
As we dive deeper into thistheme of reverence, let us
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consider God's love and mercy.
Often we think of admiration interms of God's power or His
creation, but one of the mostastonishing aspects of who God
is lies in His love for us, anunconditional, unending love
that we did not earn and couldnever deserve.
Psalm, chapter 8, verses 3 and 4, captures this beautifully.
When I look at your heavens,the work of your fingers, the
moon and the stars that you haveset in place, what is man that
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you are mindful of?
Him and the son of man and thisis not just a passive feeling.
God's love moved him to act.
John, chapter 3, verse 16,reminds us of the depth of this
love, for God so loved the worldthat he gave his only son that
whoever believes in him shouldnot perish but have eternal life
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.
This verse is so familiar tomany of us that we can sometimes
lose sight of just how profoundit really is.
God's love is so vast andboundless that he would send his
own son to die for us.
That kind of sacrificial loveis a source of marvel that goes
beyond words.
Charles Spurgeon, a well-knownpreacher, once said I have a
great need for Christ.
I have a great Christ for myneed.
Spurgeon's words remind us thatGod's love meets us right where
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we are in our brokenness andneed, and lifts us up with mercy
and grace, and that issomething worth venerating, is
it not?
When we consider the love andmercy of God, our only response
should be one of humblegratitude and amazement.
Now there is another side toGod's character that we must
also stand in admiration of, andthat is His justice.
This is not always acomfortable topic, but it is a
vital one.
God is not only a God of love,he is a God of justice, and true
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esteem comes from recognizingthe fullness of who he is,
including His righteous angertowards sin.
In Deuteronomy 10, verse 17, weread For the Lord, your God, is
God of gods and Lord of lords.
The great, the mighty and aformidable God who is not
partial and takes no bribe.
God's justice is perfect.
He does not overlook sin orignore wrongdoing, and while
that might seem intimidating, itis also comforting.
It means we serve a God whocares deeply about what is right
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and who will ultimately bringjustice to all things.
Jonathan Edwards, a theologianfrom the 18th century, spoke on
this when he said the bow ofGod's wrath is bent and the
arrow made ready on the string,and justice bends the arrow at
your heart.
That is a vivid image and itreminds us that God's justice is
real.
It is something to be respected, something that should fill us
with astonishment.
But here is the incredible partGod, in his mercy, provided a
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way for us to be forgiven.
He sent Jesus to take on thatpunishment to satisfy the
requirements of justice on ourbehalf.
Romans, chapter 3, verse 25,says God put forward as a
propitiation by his blood to bereceived by faith.
This was to show God'srighteousness, because in his
divine forbearance he had passedover former sins.
So when we consider God'sjustice, we are not left in fear
or despair.
Instead, we are led back to thecross, where justice and mercy
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meet, and that friend is trulystupefying.
God's justice should lead us torevere him, to take sin
seriously and ultimately to findpeace in the salvation he has
given us through Jesus.
As we consider God's justice andmercy, we naturally arrive at
one of the most bewildering actsin history redemption.
Redemption is God's ultimateact of love, his plan to bring
us back to Himself, and it issomething that fills our hearts
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with adoration every time wethink about it.
In John, chapter 3, verse 16,as we just discussed, we see the
heart of this redemption, butthere is even more to unpack.
Romans, chapter 5, verse 8,says but God shows his love for
us in that, while we were stillsinners, christ died for us.
Think about that.
While we were still far fromGod, undeservingly living in sin
, he reached out to us with loveand sacrifice.
In Ephesians, chapter 1, verse7, paul writes In him we have
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redemption through his blood forforgiveness of our trespasses,
according to the riches of hisgrace.
Redemption is a costly gift.
It was not given lightly, buthis grace Redemption is a costly
gift.
It was not given lightly, butit was given freely.
God did not spare anything tosave us.
That is something to stand inamazement of, is it not?
As Charles Spurgeon once put it, when Christ died, he died for
you individually, just as muchas if you had been the only
person in the world.
Redemption is personal.
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God's love and sacrifice weredirected at each one of us as if
we were the only ones in need,and that personal touch, that
sacrificial love, fills us witha sense of reverence that goes
beyond anything else we couldever experience.
So what should our response beto this incredible reverence of
God?
Knowing what we know about Hisholiness, his justice, his love
and His mercy?
How do we live in a way thatreflects our admiration of Him?
Hebrews, chapter 12, verse 28,gives us a clear answer.
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Therefore, let us be gratefulfor receiving a kingdom that
cannot be shaken, and thus letus offer to God acceptable
worship with respect andastonishment.
Here we see that the naturalresponse to God's greatness is
gratitude and worship.
Worship is not just something wedo on Sunday mornings.
It is a lifestyle.
It is about living every daywith a sense of devotion and
esteem for who God is, whetherwe are at work, spending time
with family or serving others.
We are called to live in a waythat honors God and reflects our
reverence of Him.
Living in amazement also meanshumbling ourselves.
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James, chapter 4, verse 10,reminds us humble yourselves
before the Lord and he willexalt you.
Recognizing God's greatnessshould make us aware of our own
smallness, our dependence on Himand our need to live in
alignment with His will.
And lastly, living in admirationof God means seeking moments to
reflect on His majesty.
It means taking time tomeditate on His word, to go out
into creation and marvel at Hisworks, and to remember daily
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that we serve a God who is farbeyond our comprehension.
The more we focus on Him, themore our hearts are filled with
astonishment.
One of the most accessible waysfor us to encounter the
wonderment of God is through Hiscreation.
Imagine this for a momentstanding on the edge of the
Grand Canyon or watching athunderstorm roll in over the
ocean.
In those moments you get aglimpse of God's incredible
power and creativity, and it canbe overwhelming.
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Psalm chapter 19, verse 1, saysthe heavens declare the glory of
God and the sky above proclaimsHis handiwork.
Creation itself is like amasterpiece signed by God.
Each part of it the stars,mountains, rivers even the
tiniest creature speaks of hispower and mindfulness.
It is as if every part ofcreation is saying look at the
one who made me.
There is something humblingabout standing in nature, is
there not?
It reminds us of how small weare, yet how important we are to
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God.
Think about how carefully Godcrafted each part of the world.
Romans, chapter 1, verse 20, aswe mentioned earlier, tells us
that his invisible attributes,namely His eternal power and
divine nature, have been clearlyperceived ever since the
creation of the world In thethings that have been made.
Creation reveals God'squalities, his attributes and
His creativity.
Reflecting on creation is notjust about appreciating beauty.
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It is about letting that beautypoint us back to the Creator,
and when we allow creation tolead us into worship, we are
aligning ourselves with God'soriginal design.
This is why we, as believers,are called to not only enjoy
creation, but also to care forit and to steward it well,
knowing that it reflects theglory of God.
The theologian John Calvin putit this way creation is the
theater of God's glory.
What a powerful image.
(12:11):
Every tree, every ocean andevery sunrise is like a stage
where God's glory is on displayfor us to see, and that is
something that should fill uswith admiration and gratitude.
Now, as incredible as creationis, it is not the ultimate
display of God's greatness.
That honor belongs to the actof redemption, the work of God
through Christ to bring us backto himself.
Redemption is the ultimateexpression of God's love and
mercy, and it is something that,quite honestly, we will never
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fully understand, but we canstand in bewilderment of it.
In John, chapter 3, verse 16,we see this love clearly, for
God so loved the world that hegave his only Son that whoever
believes in him should notperish but have eternal life.
Redemption was not an easy orcheap act.
It required a sacrifice beyondanything.
We can fully grasp the life ofGod's own Son, and this was done
for us while we were stillsinners, as Paul reminds us in
(12:54):
Romans, chapter 5, verse 8.
But God shows his love for usin that, while we were still
sinners, christ died for us.
Charles Spurgeon once said thatwhen Christ died, he died for
you individually, just as muchas if you had been the only
person in the world.
Just imagine that for a momentGod's love was directed at you
personally in a way that iscompletely unique.
That kind of love, that kind ofsacrifice is beyond
comprehension and it fills uswith astonishment.
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In Ephesians, chapter 1, verse 7, paul also writes In him we
have redemption through hisblood, the forgiveness of our
trespasses according to theriches of his grace.
This tells us that ourredemption is grounded in grace.
It is not something we earnedor deserved.
It is something God freely gaveus, and that realization should
fill us with a sense of wonderand gratitude that we cannot
fully express.
So redemption is not just atheological concept.
(13:36):
It is a powerful truth thatshould lead us to our knees in
respect.
When we reflect on what God hasdone to save us, we see His
holiness, his justice, His mercyand His love all come together
in one incredible act, and thatis something we should never
take for granted.
Redemption is the heart ofGod's love story for humanity,
and it is the ultimate reason westand in admiration.
So, having looked at all theseaspects of God's greatness, his
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holiness, his justice, his love,his creation and His redemption
, the question becomes howshould we respond?
What does it look like to livein a way that reflects our
amazement of God?
One of the clearest responsesis worship.
Hebrews, chapter 12, verse 28,calls us to this.
Therefore, let us be gratefulfor receiving a kingdom that
cannot be shaken, and thus letus offer to God acceptable
worship with reverence andastonishment.
Worship is not just aboutsinging songs on Sunday.
(14:25):
It is about a lifestyle.
It is living in a way thatreflects our admiration for God,
honoring Him with our actions,our thoughts and our words.
Worship also leads us togratitude when we understand who
God is and what he has done forus.
Gratitude should be a naturalresponse, and this gratitude is
not just for the big moments.
It is for every day, everybreath and every small blessing
that we often take for granted.
Colossians, chapter 3, verse 17, encourages us in this way and
whatever you do in word or deed,do everything in the name of
the Lord Jesus.
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Giving thanks to God, theFather.
Through him, living inwonderment, means acknowledging
God's hand in every part of ourlives and thanking him
continually.
Another response to the esteemof God is humility.
James, chapter 4, verse 10,reminds us humble yourselves
before the Lord, and he willexalt you.
Recognizing God's greatnessputs our own limitations in
perspective.
It reminds us that we are notthe center of the universe God
is.
Humility is not about thinkingless of ourselves.
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It is about thinking ofourselves less as we focus more
on God's glory and His purposes.
And finally, living in devotionto God means seeking moments to
connect with Him regularly,whether it is through prayer,
reading His word or simplytaking time to reflect on His
goodness.
We need to intentionally makespace to be reminded of who God
is.
The more we dwell on Hischaracter, the more our hearts
will be filled with admiration.
It is not something thathappens passively.
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It is a choice we make everyday.
When we choose to live in awe,it changes everything.
Our priorities shift, ourperspective shifts and we find
ourselves more aligned withGod's heart and purpose for us.
So let us commit ourselves to alifestyle of astonishment,
letting the greatness of Godinspire us, humble us and lead
us into a deeper relationshipwith Him.
One important area where all ofGod should impact us is in how
we approach rest.
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We live in a world thatglorifies busyness, where
constant activity is often seenas a sign of success, but God's
design includes moments of restand reflection times when we are
called to simply be still andknow that he is God.
Exodus, chapter 20, verses 8 to10, commands us Remember the
Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Six days you shall labor and doall your work, but the seventh
day is a Sabbath.
To the Lord, your God.
Sabbath is not just a day offfrom work.
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It is a divine gift, a time setaside to reconnect with God, to
reflect on His goodness and toacknowledge His sovereignty.
Observing Sabbath reminds usthat we are not in control, and
that is a freeing realization.
It is God who sustains us, notour own efforts.
In Mark, chapter 2, verse 27,.
Jesus tells us the Sabbath wasmade for man, not man for the
Sabbath.
This means that rest is part ofGod's loving design for us.
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When we allow ourselves to pause, to breathe, to step back from
our work, we are acknowledgingGod's provision.
It is a way of saying God Itrust you to take care of what I
cannot, and that trust,releasing control and
recognizing our dependence onHim is at the heart of all.
Rest also gives us the chanceto reflect on God's work in our
lives.
When we pause, we see moreclearly how God has provided,
protected and guided us.
We remember the prayers he hasanswered and the grace he has
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shown.
Psalm, chapter 46, verse 10,invites us Be still and know
that I am God.
In those quiet moments, we arereminded of God's power and our
place within His creation, andthat quiet reverence, that
stillness, deepens ouradmiration and trust in Him.
So taking time to rest is notjust good for our physical
health.
It is essential for ourspiritual health.
It helps us refocus recenterand remember that we are not the
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ones holding everythingtogether.
God is.
Living in awe of God meansallowing ourselves the space to
stop and be refreshed by Hispresence.
In a world that is constantlyin motion, choosing rest is a
bold act of faith and adeclaration that God is enough.
Another area where awe of Godtransforms us is in our prayer
life.
Prayer is not just a list ofrequests.
It is an opportunity to comebefore the Creator of the
universe and communicate withHim personally.
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When we pray with a heart ofreverence, we approach God not
only with our needs but with.
In Matthew, chapter 6, verse 9,jesus teaches us how to pray,
saying Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name.
This phrase, hallowed be yourname is an expression of
amazement and devotion.
Jesus is teaching us to beginour prayers by recognizing God's
holiness, by honoring His nameand by reminding ourselves of
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His greatness.
When we approach God this way,it shifts our focus from
ourselves to Him, grounding usin a sense of reverence.
Philippians, chapter 4, verses 6and 7, encourages us Do not be
anxious about anything, but ineverything, by prayer and
supplication, with thanksgiving,let your requests be made known
to God, and the peace of God,which surpasses all
understanding, will guard yourhearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus.
Notice how Paul emphasizesthanksgiving here.
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When we are filled withastonishment for God, our
prayers are marked not just byrequest, but by gratitude for
all he has already done.
Living in wonderment also meanstrusting that God hears us and
knows what we need, even beforewe ask.
In Matthew 6, verse 8, jesussays your father knows what you
need before you ask him.
Isn't that bewildering?
God, in his infinite wisdom, isalready aware of every need,
every fear and every desire inour hearts, and knowing that
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fills us with confidence in ourprayers.
We do not have to approach Godwith fear or uncertainty.
We can come boldly, knowingthat he hears us and that he
cares.
In Hebrews, chapter 4, verse 16,we are encouraged.
Let us then, with confidence,draw near to the throne of grace
, that we may receive mercy andfind grace to help in times of
need.
This verse reminds us thatwhile God is holy and powerful,
he is also compassionate andaccessible.
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Our astonishment of God shouldlead us to approach Him with a
sense of deep respect, but alsowith a sense of joy and comfort,
knowing that we are welcomedinto His presence.
So when we pray, let us comewith hearts full of devotion,
remembering that we are speakingto the One who created the
stars, who knows our everythought and who loves us
unconditionally.
Let our prayers reflect notonly our requests, but our
reverence, our gratitude and ourtrust in His perfect will.
(19:23):
Living in astonishment of Godalso influences how we approach
our work and our service toothers.
Whether we are working in anoffice, volunteering, raising a
family or ministering in achurch, every role we play can
be an act of worship when donewith a heart full of respect for
God.
Colossians, chapter 3, verse 23, reminds us Whatever you do,
work heartily as for the Lordand not for men.
When we are motivated bywonderful God, we approach our
(19:44):
work not just as a task tocomplete, but as a way to honor
Him.
It does not matter whether ourwork is seen or praised by
others.
We know that God sees ourefforts and that is enough.
This perspective changes theway we see both success and
challenges.
In times of success, we do notboast in our own abilities.
We give glory to God,recognizing that every talent,
every opportunity and everyaccomplishment comes from Him.
And in times of struggle, wefind strength in knowing that
(20:06):
our work has meaning beyond whatwe can see.
When we work for God, we arepart of something bigger than
ourselves.
1 Corinthians 15, verse 58encourages us.
Therefore, my beloved brothers,be steadfast and immovable,
always abounding in the work ofthe Lord, knowing that in the
Lord, your labor is not in vain.
This means that when we workwith a heart of reverence for
God, our efforts are neverwasted.
God sees every act of service,every moment of perseverance,
(20:29):
and he values it.
When we serve others, we arealso living out our admiration
for God by reflecting His loveand compassion.
Matthew 25, verse 40 reminds usTruly.
I say to you, as you did it toone of the least of these, my
brothers, you did it to me.
Serving others with kindness andhumility is not just about
meeting physical needs.
It is a way of honoring God'simage in each person and
recognizing His presence inevery act of love.
(20:49):
So, whether we are workingbehind the scenes, leading a
team, helping a neighbor orsimply doing our best each day.
Let us remember that our workmatters to God.
Living in devotion meansdedicating each task, big or
small, to Him and knowing thatin every moment, we are honoring
the One who created us.
Finally, one of the mostpowerful ways we express our
astonishment of God is throughworship.
Worship is not limited tosinging songs.
(21:10):
It is an attitude of the heart,a way of approaching God with
reverence and gratitude.
True worship comes from a placeof recognizing God's worth and
responding to His greatness.
Psalm, chapter 95, verses 6 and7, invites us O come, let us
worship and bow down, let uskneel before the Lord, our Maker
, for he is our God and we arethe people of His pasture and
the sheep of His hand.
This passage reminds us thatworship is about humbling
(21:31):
ourselves before God,acknowledging that he is our
Creator and that we are His.
When we worship, we arereminded of God's faithfulness,
his love and His power.
We are reminded of all the wayshe has been present in our
lives, and as we lift our voicesor bow our hearts, we are
participating in somethingeternal.
Worship allows us to connectwith God on a deeper level, to
express our love for Him and toreflect on His goodness.
(21:51):
Revelation, chapter 4, verse 11,says Worthy are you, our Lord
and God, to receive glory andhonor and power, for you created
all things, and by your willthey existed and were created.
When we stand in awe of God'sworthiness, our worship becomes
more than just words.
It becomes an offering from theheart.
So, whether we are singing,praying, reflecting or simply
being, let our worship come froma place of respect and devotion
.
Let it be a reminder of God'sgreatness and an expression of
(22:14):
our love and gratitude for allthat he is.
As we close today's episode, Ihope you feel encouraged to seek
a deeper sense of amazement inyour relationship with God.
He is holy, just, loving andmerciful all at once, and is
holy, just, loving and mercifulall at once, and when we live
with a true understanding of hisgreatness, it transforms us,
humbles us, gives us purpose andfills our hearts with gratitude
.
(22:35):
We have talked about howastonishment leads us to worship
, to humility and to a lifestylethat honors God's greatness.
My prayer is that you will takethis message to heart and find
ways to live with reverence andjoy, knowing that we serve an
awesome God.
Let us pray together as weclose.
God, we thank you for yourmajesty, your love and your
mercy.
We stand in awe of who you areand we ask that you help us to
live with hearts that reflectthat astonishment.
May our lives be a testimony toyour greatness and may we never
lose sight of the admiration ofknowing you.
(22:56):
Amen.
Thank you for joining us on theCrossroads Collective Podcast
today.
I hope this episode has broughtyou closer to understanding the
wonderment and majesty of Godand encourage you to live each
day with a heart full ofreverence.
Remember that astonishment isnot just a feeling, but a
response to who God is, and itcan transform every part of our
lives as we seek to honor Him.
If you enjoyed today's episode,please consider subscribing and
(23:16):
sharing it with someone whomight be blessed by this message
.
Your support helps us continueto bring these discussions to
life.
Until next time, stay groundedin faith, pursue a heart of
worship and let the greatness ofGod inspire you in every moment
.
May you walk in His peace andstrength and may your journey be
filled with admiration for allthat he is and all that he has
done.
Thank you again and God bless.
Thanks for watching.
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