Reverence and God’s nature

Believers should revere God and meditate upon his deeds

1 Samuel 12:24 NASB95

“Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.

See also Jos 24:14; Job 25:2; Job 37:23–24; Je 32:40–41; Mal 2:5

Reverence is to be reserved exclusively for God

Deuteronomy 6:13–14 NASB95

“You shall fear only the Lord your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name. “You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you,

Reverence for God’s judgment

Ex 14:31; Am 3:8; Jon 1:16; Re 14:7

Reverence for God’s anger

Dt 6:14–15; Ps 2:11–12; Ps 76:7

Gentile nations will also revere and fear God

Psalm 67:7 NASB95

God blesses us, That all the ends of the earth may fear Him.

See also Jos 4:24; 1 Ki 8:43; 2 Ch 20:29; Ps 76:11–12; Ps 102:15; Is 59:19; Je 33:9

Reverent fear of God is not mere terror but includes trust

Exodus 20:20 NASB95

Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.”

See also Ge 28:16–17 Jacob feels reverent awe in the presence of the God who has just promised to bless him; Ps 2:11; Ac 9:31

Reverent fear of God is a remedy against other fears

Ps 56:4; Lk 12:4–5; 1 Pe 3:14–15

Reverence for God’s creative activity

Deuteronomy 10:20–21 NASB95

“You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name. “He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen.

See also 1 Sa 12:18; 1 Ch 16:25; Ps 33:8–9; Ec 3:14; Je 5:22–24; Hab 3:2

Reverence for God’s eternal existence

1 Timothy 1:17 NASB95

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

See also 1 Ti 6:16

Reverence for God’s name

Malachi 4:2 NASB95

“But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.

See also Is 59:19; Mal 1:14; Re 11:18

Reverence for God’s holiness

Isaiah 8:13 NASB95

“It is the Lord of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, And He shall be your dread.

See also Ps 96:4; Is 29:23; Je 10:7; Re 15:4

Reverence for God’s word

Isaiah 66:2 NASB95

“For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,” declares the Lord. “But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.

See also Dt 4:10–11; Ezr 9:4; Ezr 10:3

Reverence for God’s works

Ecclesiastes 3:14 NASB95

I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him.

See also Ex 14:31; Ps 64:9

Reverence for God’s mercy and compassion

Ps 5:7; Ps 22:23; Ps 130:4

Reverence for God’s intervention in healing

Matthew 9:8 NASB95

But when the crowds saw this, they were awestruck, and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.