Drawing Near to God: Approaching Worship with Reverence and Awe
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters—our relationship with God. As we navigate the challenges and distractions of this world, we often find ourselves going through the motions, even in our spiritual lives. We attend church, sing hymns, and recite prayers, but are our hearts truly engaged in worship? Are we approaching God with the reverence and awe that He deserves?
The book of Ecclesiastes offers a powerful reminder of how we should approach worship. In chapter 5, verses 1-7, we are told to “guard our steps” when we go to the house of God. This means being intentional and mindful in our worship, not simply offering empty words or meaningless sacrifices. The passage warns against being rash with our mouths or hasty in our hearts, urging us to remember that God is in heaven and we are on earth. Therefore, our words should be few and carefully chosen.
This call to reverence and awe in worship is not meant to discourage us from drawing near to God. On the contrary, through Jesus Christ, we have the incredible privilege of approaching God with confidence. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that because of Christ’s sacrifice, we can “enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain” (Hebrews 10:19-20). We are invited to draw near with a true heart and full assurance of faith, knowing that our hearts have been sprinkled clean and our bodies washed with pure water.
However, this confidence in approaching God should never lead to casualness or irreverence. We must remember that our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:28-29), and He is worthy of our utmost respect and adoration. When we come before Him in worship, we are entering into the presence of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This realization should fill us with a sense of wonder and awe, causing us to approach Him with humility and reverence.
So, what does it look like to worship God with reverence and awe? It starts with preparing our hearts before we even enter the church building. We should take time to quiet our minds, confess our sins, and ask God to help us focus on Him alone. As we participate in the various elements of the service—singing, praying, giving, and listening to the Word—we should do so with sincerity and devotion. Our worship should be an overflow of our love for God and our desire to honor Him.
Moreover, our worship should extend beyond the walls of the church. Romans 12:1 urges us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, as our spiritual worship. This means that every aspect of our lives—our work, our relationships, our hobbies, and our choices—should be an act of worship. We should strive to live in a way that brings glory to God and reflects His character to the world around us.
As we seek to worship God with reverence and awe, let us remember the incredible gift we have been given through Jesus Christ. Because of His sacrifice, we can approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that we are fully forgiven and accepted in His sight. May this knowledge inspire us to worship Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, both in the church and in our daily lives. Let us guard our steps as we draw near to God, offering Him the worship He so richly deserves.