HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE #4–Attitude of Respect and Reverence
When I hold the Holy Bible in my hands, it renders within me a feeling of deep respect and reverence for the Word of God. This physical thing I touch represents heaven coming to earth. How can a closed book open up heaven just like that?! When I open it up, it opens up to me the precious heart of God in Jesus. Awe, respect and reverence means that I appreciate the inspiration of Scriptures, the transformative (ability to engage) power of Scriptures, and its moral authority. Without a doubt, the attitude I bring to the text of the Bible makes a world of difference as to how I hear its message!
There are numerous passages in the Bible that instruct and guide us in having a reverential awe for the Word of God. These passages encourage us to approach the Scriptures with a sense of wonder and amazement, recognizing their divine origin and importance in guiding life and faith. With this in mind, I want to highlight 5 Scriptures that can help us have that deep respect and appreciation for God’s revelation, His Divine Word. The prophet Isaiah points out that God is looking for those who please him by their trembling at his word, a trembling that is inspired by reverential awe: “These are the ones I look on with favor:
those who are humble and contrite in spirit,
and who tremble at my word”(Isaiah 66:2).
I want to suggest 5 reasons that we can contribute to our “trembling” at the Word.
First, we have a reverential awe for the eternal nature of God’s word (Isaiah 40:8).
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8). I am always amazed how short the life span is regarding beautiful flowers. I have often remarked how pretty the seasons would be if all of the flowers stayed blossomed out for 12 months out of the year! But grass and flowers only last a short time during the growing season of the year. The represents for us how everything in life has a short “shelf life” and will not last long. But the word of God continues on forever. I stand in awe of something that will live forever, and time will never change it!
Second, we have a reverential awe at the great treasure of God’s word (Psalm 119:161-162)
“Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words. I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.” This verse by the Psalmist helps us understand people can hurt us, but we stand in awe of God’s word because it was given for our help and benefit. We can trust it when we cannot trust others. We stand in awe of God’s revelation because of what it does for us, based on the fact that God cares for us. This awe is experienced in the context of joy because we know how valuable God’s word is. It is like stumbling across a hoard of spoils of war stashed away in secret somewhere. Think of how many times we have “stumbled” across biblical teachings that have impressed us so much they have changed our lives.
Third, we have a reverential awe at the power of God’s word to discern our thoughts and lay bare our intentions (Hebrews 4:12). “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” We stand in awe of what Scripture is designed to do. It is not just an old history book, or a collection of out-dated wisdom sayings. Through God’s Spirit, divine revelation has the power to discern our thoughts and lay bare our intentions. Jesus, the living Word, knows our every thought and what our motives are. It is humbling, and we stand in reverential awe, knowing that Scripture has the power to do this for us on a daily basis. We cannot hide anything from God.
Fourth, we have a reverential awe for Scripture because God has breathed it for a specific purpose (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Paul was impressed earlier in this epistle with the influence that Timothy’s mother and grandmother had in instilling within Timothy the Scriptures that were able to make him wise unto salvation. Not only does Scripture come from the very breath of God, but this divine revelation has a singular purpose that is accomplished by 4 things. The Bible makes us complete and equips us for every good work. We reach that spiritual goal through receiving teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. God’s intent and purpose for Scripture leaves us spell-bound because no other book on earth makes these claims!
Fifth, we have a reverential awe for the hidden word in our hearts that can keep us from sinning! (Psalm 119:10, 11). “With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” We are amazed that the power of God’s word hidden in our hearts can keep us from sinning! This is true when we seek God with our whole heart. The awesome power of Scripture aids us in our quest as we search for and experience the power of God in our life. Such a search keeps us from wandering away from God’s directions. The awe-inspiring Scriptures become the storehouse of God teachings in our heart. We fill our hearts with God’s heart! Jesus quoted Scripture against Satan when he was tempted. Storing up God’s word in our hearts will protect us from the temptations of Satan, and guard us against sinning. Again, I do not know of a book in the local bookstore that claims to be able to do this!
When I am concerned about how to study the Bible, it must include the fundamental attitude of respect and reverence. This reverential awe and “spiritual jaw-dropping” response is because of the nature of the Word itself. We “tremble” at that Word because it is eternal, it is a great treasure, it discerns us through and through, it has a God-breathed purpose, and it has the power to keep us from sinning. No wonder our hands “tremble” when we open the divine revelation, Scripture. It is like no other book on the face of the earth!