AWE OF GOD

The Awe of God

The awe of God is a deep reverence, wonder, and holy fear of who God is—His majesty, power, holiness, and glory. It is not just being amazed by Him but living in reverence, obedience, and worship because of His greatness.

The Awe of God is the Beginning of Wisdom

  • Proverbs 9:10“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
    📌 True wisdom starts when we recognize God’s holiness and authority over our lives.

The Awe of God Leads to Obedience

  • Deuteronomy 10:12“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul?”
    📌 The more we stand in awe of God, the more we desire to obey and serve Him.

The Awe of God Brings Protection and Blessing

  • Psalm 34:7“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.”
    📌 When we live in reverence before God, we experience His divine protection and deliverance.

The Awe of God Transforms How We Worship

  • Hebrews 12:28-29“Let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’”
    📌 Worship is not casual—it comes from a heart that truly acknowledges God’s holiness and power.

The Awe of God Keeps Us from Sin

  • Proverbs 16:6“Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.”
    📌 When we are in awe of God’s holiness, we take sin seriously and desire to walk in righteousness.

The Awe of God Leads to a Deeper Relationship with Him

  • Psalm 25:14“The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.”
    📌 God reveals Himself to those who approach Him with reverence and humility.

Jesus Modeled the Awe of God

  • Isaiah 11:2-3“The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him… and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.”
    📌 Even Jesus delighted in the fear of the Lord, showing us how to live in awe of God.

The awe of God is a life-changing perspective that leads to wisdom, obedience, protection, true worship, and intimacy with Him. It is not fear that makes us run away but a holy reverence that draws us closer to His presence.

Would you like help growing in the awe of God in your daily life? 😊

The Difference Between Fear of God vs. Awe of God

Many people confuse the fear of God with being afraid of Him. However, in the Bible, the fear of God and the awe of God are closely related but have distinct meanings.

Fear of God (Holy Fear)

The fear of God is a deep reverence and respect for God that leads to obedience, wisdom, and holiness. It is not a fear that makes us run away from God but one that draws us closer to Him in humility and submission.

  • Proverbs 1:7“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
  • Ecclesiastes 12:13“Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”

📌 The fear of God is about recognizing His authority, power, and holiness and responding with humility, obedience, and devotion.

Awe of God (Wonder & Amazement)

The awe of God goes beyond reverence to include a sense of wonder, amazement, and overwhelming appreciation of His greatness. It is a response to His majesty, love, and power that leaves us in worship and admiration.

  • Psalm 33:8“Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him.”
  • Hebrews 12:28-29“Let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”

📌 The awe of God is about being overwhelmed by His greatness, leading to worship, gratitude, and humility.

Key Differences & Relationship

Fear of God Awe of God
Deep reverence and respect Overwhelming wonder and amazement
Leads to wisdom and obedience Leads to worship and admiration
Acknowledging God’s power and justice Marveling at His love, mercy, and greatness
Keeps us from sin and rebellion Fills us with joy, worship, and gratitude
Example: Moses obeyed God’s commands (Exodus 20:20) Example: The disciples marveled at Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:41)

🔹 Both lead us closer to God, but the fear of God keeps us in obedience, while the awe of God fills us with worship and wonder.

Would you like guidance on how to cultivate both in your spiritual life? 😊

God’s Heart for Us Having an Awe of Him

God deeply desires for us to live in awe of Him because it leads us into a deeper relationship, greater obedience, and true worship. The awe of God is not just about recognizing His power but being captivated by His majesty, love, and holiness.

The Awe of God Leads to Wisdom & Understanding

  • Proverbs 9:10“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
    📌 God wants us to be filled with wisdom, and it starts by having an awe-filled reverence for Him.

The Awe of God Draws Us Closer to Him

  • Psalm 25:14“The Lord confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them.”
    📌 When we are in awe of God, He reveals Himself to us in deeper ways.

The Awe of God Transforms Our Worship

  • Hebrews 12:28-29“Let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”
    📌 True worship comes from a heart that stands in awe of God’s greatness and holiness.

The Awe of God Protects Us from Sin

  • Proverbs 16:6“Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.”
    📌 When we stand in awe of God, we take sin seriously and strive to live in righteousness.

The Awe of God Brings Life & Blessing

  • Proverbs 19:23“The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”
    📌 God wants us to live in peace and security, and that comes from having an awe-filled heart toward Him.

The Awe of God Brings Revival & Humility

  • Acts 2:43“Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.”
    📌 When people are filled with awe for God, revival and transformation take place.

Jesus Delighted in the Awe of God

  • Isaiah 11:2-3“The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him… and He will delight in the fear of the Lord.”
    📌 Even Jesus delighted in the awe of God, setting an example for us.

God’s Desire for Us

God wants us to live in awe of Him, not out of fear but out of wonder, reverence, and love. When we stand in awe of His power, holiness, and mercy, we experience wisdom, intimacy, worship, protection, and blessings.

Would you like help in growing your awe for God in daily life? 😊

Scriptures on Having an Awe of God and a Fear of God

God calls us to live in both awe and fear of Him—not a fear that makes us run away, but a holy reverence and wonder that draws us closer to Him. Here are key scriptures that highlight this:

The Awe of God Leads to Wisdom & Knowledge

  • Proverbs 9:10“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
  • Proverbs 1:7“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

📌 True wisdom begins with an awe-filled reverence for God.

The Awe of God Leads to Worship

  • Hebrews 12:28-29“Let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”
  • Psalm 33:8“Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him.”

📌 A true understanding of God's greatness leads us into deep, heartfelt worship.

The Fear of God Brings Protection & Blessing

  • Psalm 34:7“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.”
  • Proverbs 19:23“The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”

📌 God protects and blesses those who live in awe of Him.

The Fear of God Keeps Us from Sin

  • Proverbs 16:6“Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.”
  • Exodus 20:20“Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.’”

📌 The fear of God keeps us humble and leads us to righteousness.

The Awe of God Leads to a Deeper Relationship

  • Psalm 25:14“The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.”
  • Malachi 3:16“Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard.”

📌 When we honor God with awe and reverence, He reveals more of Himself to us.

The Early Church Walked in the Fear & Awe of God

  • Acts 2:43“Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.”
  • Acts 9:31“Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.”

📌 The fear and awe of God led to growth, miracles, and revival in the early church.

Jesus Walked in the Fear of the Lord

  • Isaiah 11:2-3“The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him… and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.”

📌 Even Jesus delighted in the fear of the Lord, showing us how to live in holy reverence.

The fear of God and the awe of God are not about terror, but about holy reverence, worship, and obedience. They lead to wisdom, protection, blessing, righteousness, and a deeper relationship with God.

Would you like guidance on how to cultivate this in your life? 😊

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