HEBREWS 12:28

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe

TO PONDER

I was having an argument with my two eldest children the other day. As a former mathematics teacher, it's one of my favourite arguments to have with young people when they start doing fun and creative things with geometry. I was trying to tell them that two things can be true at the same time using the example of squares and rectangles. Maybe you know where this is going, maybe you don't. So let me briefly explain, then I promise I'll get to the point.

The argument goes like this, I start the ball rolling by claiming that a square is a rectangle. Their immediate response is obviously, 'No dad, a square is a square, it can't be a rectangle!' Then we start to look a little closer. We talk about the necessary characteristics for a shape to be considered a square and those necessary for it to be considered a rectangle, and wouldn't you know it... A square ticks all the boxes for being a rectangle! I guess two things can be true at the same time after all.

I think there is sometimes a similar issue when it comes to the way we relate to God. There is no doubt or argument that we should be thankful for all he has done. And yet, I think many Christians today tend to offer a casual or even flippant, 'thanks God' like they would to a friend who who just paid for their lunch. Don't get me wrong, at certain times Jesus made a point of calling his disciples friends, and Hebrews 4:16 says since Jesus [our friend] is our hight priest who intercedes for us we can, 'come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need'. That's true. However, it is also true that God the Father should be approached and thought of with reverence and awe, and our verse today suggests that to worship God without recognising that, is not acceptable worship.

The problem for most of us is that both are true. When we live, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, we have nothing to fear when we come to God in prayer and praise. And yet we also must remember that while we might now be called children of God, Our Heavenly Father is still the maker, creator, sustainer, and redeemer of all creation and is also worthy of our reverence and respect. When it comes to God, certainly more than one thing can be true at the same time.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, you alone are worthy of my thanks and praise. I'm sorry for the times when my attitude toward you does not reflect the fulness of who you are and you value and importance in my life. Please help me to see more clearly each day your powerful and might acts in creation, in those around me and also in my life so that I might always worship you with reverence and awe. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle