With the amazing technology we have, and the fantastic ability to create realistic movies using computer generated images, we are becoming a culture that is not amazed at many things any more. With our current trend towards improving kids self esteem, we are losing our sense of respect for our elders and those of authority.
Maybe these are some of the factors that cause a lack of awe when we encounter God. I am reminded that in the scriptures, we have numerous examples of those that encountered God and were so awed that they fell on their faces.
Genesis 17:3, “And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him...”. Numbers 22:31, “Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.” Joshua 5:14, “And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?”
In the Old Testament, we find people who encountered God in different ways, but they were always amazed at His presence. They recognized their unworthiness to be in God's presence. The presence of God should never be taken for granted.
Beginning in the garden, when Adam and Eve sinned, they hid themselves from God's presence. They lost that daily close communion of walking in the garden with God. However, God did not want to lose communion with man, so He had a plan that would brings us back to Him. Throughout the Old Testament, God demonstrated that He wanted to have fellowship with man.
Today, we experience the presence of God when we read His Word, as He speaks to us. We experience His presence when we spend time in prayer. In both cases, we should always be in awe of the fact that God would be, not only willing, but desirous of our fellowship.
Remember the disciples when they were with Jesus on the mount, and God spoke. Matthew 17:6, “And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.” Maybe sometimes we need to be reminded the importance of God's presence.
God is not wanting us to be afraid of Him, but He is God and deserves our reverence. We are so privileged to have access to God's presence, so it is a sad state we have come to if we are not constantly awed by the presence of God.
Through all of eternity, we will still be awed in the presence of God. We find the four and twenty elders falling on their faces in the presence of God. Revelation 4:10, and Revelation 19:4.
