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On being reverent







I read a verse today in Proverbs that caught my attention.
                 
 "Happy is the man who is always reverent, 
 But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity."
Proverbs 28:14 (NKJV)

I started thinking, how can I be more reverent in my thoughts and actions? I know that I am definitely not reverent all the time. The definition of the adjective reverent is: "feeling or showing deep and solemn respect."

In the second part of the verse, it talks about what happens to one who hardens his heart.  Some people in the Bible who hardened their heart were:


  • Pharaoh (Refused to listen to what God told him through Moses)
  • Haman (He tried to carry out a plan to kill the Jewish people)
  • King Nebuchadnezzar (didn't listen to Daniel's warning to humble himself)
  • Jacob (deceived his father)
  • Lot (decided to live in a sinful city and narrowly escaped destruction)
  • Prophets of Baal (followed false idols, instead of the True God)


These people "fell into calamity" as a result of hardening their heart.
Are there other verses in the Bible that mention reverence? Yes. Here are the ones I found. (There are many more.) It is also important to note that it matters Who you reverence. We should not show reverence to people or false gods, but only the true God, Jesus Christ.

Exodus 3:6
He said also, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Issac, and the God of Jacob" Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Leviticus 19:30
'You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the Lord.'

Hebrews 12:28
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

1 Timothy 3:8 and 11
Likewise deacons must be reverent, Likewise their wives must be reverent.

 Leviticus 19:32
'You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the LORD.

Psalm 34:7
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.

Exodus 1:17
But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live.



It usually helps me understand the meaning of a word by looking at what the word does not mean.
What is the opposite of being reverent? Some words that come to mind are, Reviling, Rejection, Rebellion, Profane, Pride and Abominable.

Mark 15:31-32
Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes said, "He saved others; Himself He cannot save. "Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him."

Mark 7:9
He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition."

Isaiah 53:3
He (Christ Jesus) is despised and rejected by men.

Luke 10:16
"He who hears you hears Me, (Christ Jesus) he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me."

Isaiah 65:2
I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in a way that is not good, According to their own thoughts;

1 Timothy 4:7
But reject profane and old wives' fables and exercise yourself toward godliness.

Malachi 2:10
Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously with one another by profaning the covenant of the fathers?

Daniel 5:20
"But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. (referring to King Nebuchadnezzar)

Proverbs 24:9
The devising of foolishness is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to men.

Titus 1:15-16
To the pure all things are pure but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.


What do you think about this subject? How have you purposed to be reverent in your daily life?  I would enjoy hearing your thoughts in the comments below.


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