God wants us to be captured with awe because of who He is and what He is doing. This is why it is so important that God works in our midst in ways that are very apparent.
When Jesus came on the scene, things started happening that startled the people; they were captured by surprise by the wonders the Lord was performing among them. Our spiritual senses are heightened, almost like a slap in the face, when God does something extraordinary.
We should be in passionate pursuit to see the “awe of God”—even the fear of the Lord—restored among us.
“When Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered them, “Why question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” He said to the paralyzed man, “I say to you, rise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he rose before them, and took up that on which he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.'” (Luke 5:22-25, MEV).
We should have days like this where God gives us some experiences that wake us up to His reality. This is not just His presence that I’m talking about. His presence is first and is the person of who He is, but His power as well has a way of shaking things up. When His power is manifested it causes us to “stand in awe” with an experiential understanding and “wow!” of His glory.
Another benefit of God’s power being at work among us is that those who don’t know God are struck with a healthy fear of God, conviction of sin and the need to come to a place of salvation. When people see that God is alive it changes everything. No longer can they argue with their minds, but now that have to deal with the truth of the living God!
I really believe the church as a whole has been duped into not seeing the necessity of having demonstrations of the Spirit and power. But this was essential to the gospel that Paul preached.
“For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance, just as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake“ (1 Thess. 1:5, MEV).
The message of good news, “the gospel,” is followed by the reality of God’s goodness being demonstrated in people’s lives, for then the reality of God’s glory is touching people physically, bringing healing, restoration and health in dramatic ways that cause people to “stand in awe.” The awe of God is essential to our lives.
Ask yourself if you have ever been struck with awe of something so amazing that God has done that it caused you to step back. If so, may it happen more often. If not, pursue God in such a way that it will happen.
I’m sure blind Bartimaeus, in retrospect, was glad that he did not have sense enough to keep quiet when Jesus was walking by on that day and everyone there benefited from his miracle. (Mark 10:46-52)
