Stand In Awe
1. “Let The Inhabitants Of The World Stand In Awe Of Him”
2. God Is Awesome
3. The Most Amazing Thing About God
4. I Stand In Awe Of God’s Forgiveness
5. I Stand In Awe That My Lord Is Always With Me
6. I Stand In Awe At God’s Throne
7. I Stand In Awe That God Gives Us His Word
8. I Stand In Awe Of God’s Peace
9. “My Savior’s Love”
10. I Stand In Awe Of The Lord’s Church
11. I Stand In Awe Of God’s Creation
12. I Stand In Awe That God Would Provide Salvation For Me
13. I Stand In Awe That God Hears And Answers Our Prayers
14. I Stand In Awe That The Lord Wants Us To Come To Him
15. “I Stand Amazed”
1. “Let The Inhabitants Of The World Stand In Awe Of Him”
Pastor Rick Byerly had a wonderful sermon recently from Psalm 33:8, “Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.” The question was asked, “How will the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Christ, if we don’t stand in awe of Him?” I have been thinking about this and it seems to be a good topic for this devotional. Let’s look at reasons we can stand in awe of Christ.
2. God Is Awesome
Fans can be watching a ball game and say, “That shot was awesome!” I’ve heard people describe their meal as awesome. There are many times people use the word, “Awesome” to describe something they liked. I know that we use the word, “awesome” to describe something we think is extremely great, but the Bible tells us to “stand in awe of him.” The word, “Awe” is only found in the Bible three times, and each time it tells us to stand in awe of the Lord. After we talk about some of the reasons we stand in awe of the Lord, we will see that our Almighty God is the only One who deserves that word of praise.
“Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.” (Psalm 4:4)
“Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.” (Psalm 33:8)
“Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.” (Psalm 119:161)
3. The Most Amazing Thing About God
What would you say is the most amazing thing about God? His creation? His power? That He knows everything about everything? His holiness? As we begin these thoughts on standing in awe of God, the most amazing thing to me, is His gift of love to me. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Did God give His Son for me because of something good I have done? No. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10) “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) God gave His Son. Jesus gave His life to a painful, shameful, cruel death on the cross. It wasn’t a quick, sudden death, but it was hours of suffering bearing the weight of my sin and the sin of the world. In searching for the words of a song we used to sing, I found that several song writers have written songs with this similar line, “Amazing love, how could it be, that thou my Lord would die for me…” I stand in awe of God’s amazing love. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
4. I Stand In Awe Of God’s Forgiveness
Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for my sin, and your sin, actually there’s enough love for the sins of the whole world. If someone does me wrong and then comes to me and asks me for forgiveness, I will try to forgive, but it might be hard to forget. It is hard to forgive… and even harder to forget. But, God has promised to forgive us when we confess our sin to Him. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9) Not only does God forgive us, He also forgets all about our sin. Micah 7:19 tells us, “He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” Our sins are gone. “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12) He doesn’t hold it against us. He clothes us in the robes of righteousness of His Son, Jesus Christ. “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10) As we stand in awe of God’s forgiveness, we also need to forgive others. “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25-26) You may say, “But, you don’t know what he did to me!” Jesus was willing to forgive, even in His dying moments. “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” (Luke 23:34) He was still forgiving lost souls in His dying hours. “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
5. I Stand In Awe That My Lord Is Always With Me
After going to the YMCA for 4 months I have more energy and strength and I decided that I want to deep clean my house before Christmas. I am working on cleaning one room each week, and I am now on my bedroom. I keep a written copy of my devotions and I took the notebooks off the shelf to dust. As I dusted the last one I opened it up and there in the middle was, “Tidings Of Comfort And Joy”. Knowing that it would be Christmas entries I started reading where the book opened. It was the entries that I wrote the Christmas that Michael was in the hospital with heart surgery. As I read these thoughts that had been buried for years, my emotions were stirred in big, crocodile tears. I didn’t cry because of what we had been through. I cried remembering how my wonderful Lord was with us all the way! God was with Michael during the 12 hour surgery, and when he was taken back into surgery that night. God was with him as he recovered and during rehab. And God was with me. It was during those months when Covid was high and I was the only one who could sit with him. It was hard, but my Lord was with me all the way! Reading those entries reminded me how God brought us through those long days and nights. And I cry tears of joy and thankfulness that God never leaves us. During those dark days, and even darker nights, when I had no one else to lean on, my Lord was there. I stand in awe that He is always with me! “…for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)
6. I Stand In Awe At God’s Throne
I have never stood, or bowed, before an earthly throne. Even if I wanted to see a king or ruler, I am not known by anyone like that so I couldn’t see them in person. John saw God on His throne.
“1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.” (Revelation 4:1-5)
This is my God and my Lord and I stand in awe of His throne. “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:16) The most amazing thing about His throne is found in Hebrews 4:16. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” My Lord knows who I am. He knows all about me and I can bow before His throne of grace any time. I stand in awe, and bow at His throne.
7. I Stand In Awe That God Gives Us His Word
Have you ever tasted something so good that you thought you would like to make it and enjoy it again? So, you asked for the recipe and the person told you that it was a secret recipe and they didn’t share it. Sometimes people, some called doctors, online will promise to tell you the secret to losing weight, or gaining more hair, or having more energy, and all you have to do is click on the link and listen to their 30 minute video, which tells you how much money you have to send in to get the secret to your success. But, God, the Author of the universe, Who has all wisdom, has given us His Word. “The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.” (Psalm 68:11) God gave His Word to different writers since the beginning of time, and He protected it, and now we can read our Bible and know that we are reading the Holy Word of God. How amazing is that! We can read how God spoke to Noah to save a remnant when the earth would be destroyed by a flood. We have stories of the Patriarchs, beginning with the promise to Abraham, and the books of Moses as he led the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt to receive God’s law written by the finger of God. God gives us the words of the Prophets, some which already came true and others prophecies which are still to come. I could not leave out David, who was “a man after God’s own heart”, and rose from being a shepherd boy and to being king over God’s people. “Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.” (II Samuel 23:1-3) The book of Job is thought to be the oldest book of the Bible. He wanted his words to be remembered…
“23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!
24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!
25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:” (Job 19:23-26)
I stand in awe of the fact that when I pick up my Bible to read, I am holding the Word of God in my hands. How amazing!
8. I Stand In Awe Of God’s Peace
I just finished reading the book of John and I noticed how Jesus told the disciples what was going to happen, and how He tried to give them peace. He was ready to give His life, and He had compassion on them. “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also… Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:1-3 & 27) “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) The Apostle Paul said, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7) For us to have the “peace of God” we must first have peace with God. This peace only comes when we trust in Jesus and ask Him to forgive us and save us from our sin. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” (Romans 5:1) Do you remember that great peacefulness you had in your soul when you were saved? When we have peace with God, then we receive the peace of God. Peace that carries us through our storms and trials. Peace that helps us sleep at night, when we cast all our cares on Him. God has given me the greatest peace, during my hardest times. I stand in awe of God’s peace.
9. “My Savior’s Love”
After writing, “I Stand In Awe”, so many times I remembered a song that begins, “I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene.” The chorus proclaims, “How marvelous! How wonderful! And my song shall ever be:” This song was written by Charles H. Gabriel in 1905. “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” (Ephesians 5:2)
My Savior’s Love
1. I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how he could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.
2. For me it was in the garden
He prayed, “Not my will, but thine.”
He had no tears for his own griefs,
But sweat drops of blood for mine.
3. He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them his very own;
He bore the burden to Calv’ry,
And suffered, and died alone.
4. When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
‘Twill be my joy thro’ the ages
To sing of His love for me.
Chorus
How marvelous! How wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous! How wonderful
Is my Savior’s love for me.
10. I Stand In Awe Of The Lord’s Church
I am amazed how God is working through Pine Grove Baptist Church. We recently enjoyed a Pastor Appreciation fellowship lunch, and a campmeeting revival and meals. Yesterday we had a baptism service and it is such a blessing to know that God is still saving people and leading them in baptism through the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Emily asked Preacher Byerly if she could read her testimony to the church. He told us that no one had ever asked to do that before. We sat and listened to her testimony and it was such a blessing. I stand in awe that the last words of Jesus before He ascended back to heaven are still being followed today. God is so good!
“18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
11. I Stand In Awe Of God’s Creation
Through the vast reach of the internet we are able to see things that people didn’t see in years past. The Lord told Daniel that knowledge would increase in the last days, and it surely has. “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Daniel 12:4) I often see beautiful photos of God’s creation that I didn’t know existed. I see brightly colored flowers posted on Facebook by missionaries that we know of in Chuuk, Micronesia. Sometimes I see insects and animals from other lands that are so distinct in their shapes, colors, and features. We don’t travel very often or very far and it is enjoyable to see pictures of different places, from the mountains with beautiful waterfalls, down to the seashores, some rocky, and others with white sand and clear ocean waters. I can eat fruit that grows in tropical regions. I can only imagine how beautiful and perfect God’s creation was before the sin of man brought a curse to the world. We have only a brief description of heaven in the Bible, and I think it is a small portion of the beauty God has prepared for us. I stand in awe of God’s marvelous creation. “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (I Corinthians 2:9)
12. I Stand In Awe That God Would Provide Salvation For Me
My Bible reading today carried me to Acts 10, a wonderful story of Cornelius. Let’s see what we know about this man.
“1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.” (Acts 10:1-6)
Cornelius was devout with deep religious feelings, and he feared God, ruling his household to fear God as well. He gave alms to the people. And he prayed to God always. Yet, this was not enough. We can do all these things, and still not be saved. Cornelius was not a Jew and salvation was for the seed of Abraham, the Jewish people. God heard his prayers and saw his giving heart and told him to send for Simon Peter. Meanwhile, Peter saw a vision of all kinds of animals being lowered from heaven. He was told to eat, and Peter said that he had not eaten anything unclean. “And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” (Acts 10:15) Peter followed the Lord’s instructions to go to Cornelius, and preached to them Jesus. “And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.” (Acts 10:42-44) God opened up the way of salvation to “whosoever”. I am so thankful! I sometimes wonder what I would do if I was not saved. I would be afraid to live, and afraid to die. But, Jesus died to give salvation freely to all who will believe. “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (John 1:11-12) The Jews rejected Jesus, and He opened up the way of salvation to the Gentiles. I am eternally grateful that Jesus saved me!
13. I Stand In Awe That God Hears And Answers Our Prayers
God gave me a caring heart and I feel bad for those who are hurting and going through hard times. I would love to give to those who are in need, and help the pain of those who are suffering. But, for most of the problems I hear about, I don’t have the means to help them. My prayer list grows and grows. And though I can’t help them, I serve a God who can! There have been times when I was in the hospital and I understand the needs of those hurting, and the needs of their loved ones waiting with them. I can’t relieve their pain, but I can pray for them. The Lord understands what it is like to be in pain and He hears and answers our prayers. I have been through times of sorrow when someone close has died and I understand the mourning and heavy hearts that are left behind. I can’t lift the heavy hearts, but I can pray for them. I go to the store and I am experiencing the rising costs of necessities just like others. I can’t provide financial help to those who don’t have enough money coming in to pay the bills, but I can pray for them. Our Lord hears all our prayers, and He understands our needs, and He cares for us. Peter reminds us, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (I Peter 5:7) We can cry to the Lord and He hears us. “In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.” (Psalm 120:1) We can trust the Lord with our salvation, so we can surely trust Him with the burdens we bear.
14. I Stand In Awe That The Lord Wants Us To Come To Him
Yesterday we talked about how God hears and answers our prayers. I want to go a little deeper with that thought today. The Lord wants us to call on Him. One of my favorite verses in Jeremiah 33:3, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Sometimes I feel like I’m a pest. I go to the Lord and tell Him that I messed up again. I confess that I tried to do better, but I failed again. Sometimes I hesitate at the Lord’s leading and the opportunity passes. The struggle is real. Does Jesus still forgive me? Yes! Even when I fail again and again? Yes! I thought about these words that Jesus said to Peter. “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22) I believe that my Lord will forgive me again and again. He will surely forgive us as much as He tells us to forgive one another. Our heavenly Father wants us to come to Him. Even when we have strayed. Look at this story that Jesus told. The father was watching and waiting for his son to come home. No matter how much we have failed or drifted away, God wants us to go back to Him.
“17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.” (Luke 15:17-24)
15. “I Stand Amazed”
I have truly enjoyed these devotionals. The thoughts have come from my heart, and soul, and mind, as I asked the question, “What amazes me most about my Lord and my Savior?” Each day blessed me with gratitude as my mind was renewed with how awesome my God is! I want to close with this song. “I Stand Amazed” was written by Squire Parsons Jr. in 1980. Christmas is two months away. Don’t get lost in the hustle and bustle of the season. Take time to focus on the reason Jesus came, and be amazed! “Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” (John 18:37)
I Stand Amazed
1. When I examine that old rugged cross
The mighty gulf did span;
It reaches down to the brinks of hell,
To heaven's golden strand.
Chorus
I stand amazed, I stand amazed;
Of the love that has sought me, saved me and bought me,
I stand amazed.
2. When I imagine, in glory that day,
When all of heav'n stood still
As God, incarnate, the Savior of man,
Died upon Calv'ry's hill.
.
