Introduction
Where the manifest glory of God is welcomed, extraordinary things occur: the sick are healed, the oppressed are set free, demons are exposed and driven out, and miracles testify to His nearness. Yet these realities do not appear consistently in our experience. Why is that? Why can we not simply take God’s Word at face value, apply it, and immediately see its power at work? Scripture declares that all things are possible through Christ, yet our daily lives often seem to fall short of that promise.
Recently, while reading The Awe of God (Thomas Nelson publishers) by John Bevere, a statement confronted me with unusual force: “the greater the manifest glory of God, the greater and swifter the judgment of irreverence”. That insight compelled me to examine my own walk with Christ—specifically, whether I truly approach Him with the reverence His holiness deserves.
Several memories surfaced
During my time in the Catholic tradition, there was a deep, tangible sense of reverence for the holiness of God. We would never wear hats in church. Women always covered their heads. The sanctuary was marked by quietness. Individuals and families entered in silence, genuflected, and knelt in prayer before the service began. There was a shared conviction that Christ Himself was present in the tabernacle upon the altar. While theological understandings may differ, the reverence expressed in those practices was unmistakable.
Even outside the church, that reverence continued. Passing a church building prompted an outward acknowledgment of God by crossing oneself (The Sign of the Cross). If someone used the Lord’s name carelessly, it stirred a response—a desire to turn the curse into honoring Him instead, even if only by quietly offering praise.
In contrast, much of that reverence seems diminished today, particularly in many non-denominational settings and, increasingly, even within Catholic contexts. At times, worship songs are treated more as performance than as true adoration. The atmosphere becomes casual where it ought to be consecrated.
These practices were not expressions of bondage or legalism. They were not driven by fear of condemnation. Rather, they flowed from a sincere reverence—a recognition of God’s holiness and a respect for His presence, as well as consideration for others seeking to worship Him.
This raises an important question: could the diminishing awareness of God’s holiness and the loss of reverence be connected to the apparent absence of His manifest presence? Scripture repeatedly ties the nearness of God to hearts that honor Him rightly. It is worth examining whether our posture toward Him has shifted—and what that means for what we experience.
The World Today
We have all noticed tremendous changes in today’s culture. The days of “Father Knows Best” and “Leave it to Beaver” are long gone. They have been replaced by a new freedom without discipline and freedom without accountability culture. This was most pronounced in the 50’s and 60’s. Racism, The Hippie culture, and the Vietnam War was responsible for many changes. “Make love not war” became a popular saying. Anger directed toward the government and the word “entitlement” became popular. Hallucinogenic mushrooms and the drug culture make is debut. Self awareness promoted in books like: The Teachings of Don Juan Series by Carlos Castaneda 1968, Lord of the Flies by William Golding 1954, Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger 1951, The Coming of Age in Samoa by Margaret Mead 1928 , were required reading when I was studying in the University. History was being rewritten and belief in God was set aside as being non-relevant.
The stage was set and spiritually a revival was needed. It came in the guise of Neo-Pentecostal movements with The Jesus People and the Charismatic movement taking center stage. This was badly needed but at the same time came a greater separation between believers and non-believers. The reverence I experienced in the Roman Catholic Church was missing. At first this felt like freedom. We could talk to each other in church and sing praises to God to the tune of Alley Oop (Composed by Dallas Frazier in 1957). Reverence and Holiness became “different” (or greatly diminished) and this was soon taken over by a worldly theology. Many turned to God but, discipleship was missing. When this was recognized a perversion of true discipleship came forward. These disciples were not able to do anything without permission from their up-line, including handling all their finances and much more. Bondage set in. False prophets and false teachers made their debut. Today, a few decades later, we are in the same position we were in during the 60’s and 70’s – praying for revival in a more evil world.
Reverence Must be Cultivated
When I say reverence for the Lord must be cultivated I mean it must be developed and practiced.
First and foremost – understand God. This is most difficult. There are so many gods in the world today that the name god means very little. We must know God and what He represents. This is the Almighty God. Creator to the Universe. How dare we be flippant before Him. In truth if we were to see Him we would die on the spot. Scripture tells us no one can see God face to face. His presence is too powerful and holy for us to endure. Look what happens in the end of days.
“And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the peoples that wage war against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.” Zachariah 14:12
This is what happens when an Atomic bomb explodes. God is more powerful than anything man can make.
“Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; as destruction from the Almighty it will come! Therefore all hands will be feeble, and every human heart will melt. They will be dismayed: pangs and agony will seize them; they will be in anguish like a woman in labor. They will look aghast at one another; their faces will be aflame. Behold, the day of the Lord comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it. For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light.” Isaiah 13:6-13
We must stand in awe of Him, worship Him, revere Him, and fear Him with all the humility you can muster. There will never be any reverence without fear. He wants to bless you but He can also snuff you out in a moment – like Ananias and Sofia or the sons of Aaron. Acknowledging who He is with this attitude will strengthen your relationship and usher in His presence. Never think that you can approach God as an equal. He is superior to you in every aspect. So superior that His very presence can kill you.
Understand Reverence
I mentioned John Bevere’s book The Awe of God above. If you have an opportunity this is a must read. In the book John goes in detail about the “fear of the Lord” I believe this is a key element in reaching true reverence for all that is holy. We must fear Him and if we fear Him properly we will walk gently before Him. John references Isaiah 35:8, calling this walk The Highway of Holiness.
“And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it”.
There is more.
Invoke the Presence of God
Invoke By Posture
Put aside a time and place for God. Make for yourself an altar if possible. (Read this Build an Altar). You will find this very interesting. Click here. perryzone.com/2024/09/24/build-an-altar/ Clasp or fold your hands, kneel, bow before Him, be prostrate before the Lord, nod you head as the Hebrews do when praying, Read His Word out loud (softly), when you feel His presence, listen and welcome Him in awe. You don’t have to do these. I am not placing a bondage on you. But, when you approach Him your mental assent in posturing must reflect His nature.
Invoke By Prayer
You will never have a sustaining relationship with God nor will you ever be able to evoke His presence unless you talk to Him. There are all kinds of prayer. There are prayers created out of needs, wants, relationship and just communion. Of course you will find exceptions to this because God has often appeared to non-believers but I’m talking about sustainable presence with fear and trembling.
Now when you pray you must pray with expectation. You are not praying to a president or to royalty but to the Creator of the universe. Approach Him as such. Don’t just grab scriptures out of the Bible in order to grab His attention but approach Him in a quiet, humble, submissive attitude as you would approach one who controls your very existence. Unlike worldly leaders, He is your God, He is Almighty, capable of executing judgment and love, far above all that you can imagine. It is just you and He, a triune God, in a holy conclave seeking a worthy request and answers that ultimately honor His presence. Line up with His Word and ultimately acclaim His name as a Creator God of the universe.
Pray an old Catholic prayer I often prayed when younger evoking the presence of God. “Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people, in-kindle in them the fire of your love” (Anon)
Conclusion
When men and women once approached an earthly king, they would immediately fall to one knee, bow their heads, and humble themselves in reverence, fear and apprehension. To stand proudly in the presence of a sovereign was considered dishonor and, at times, invited severe consequences. If such honor was given to earthly rulers, how much more should we bow in humility and reverence before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Are you ever nervous when going to a doctor or sitting before an earthly judge? Why be be so easily minded when we approach God the creator of the Universe. We are so instilled from the pulpit that God is easily approached. This is true. He will always accommodate both believers and non-believers alike but, He is the only Almighty God! We can not forget that.
Yet many today have become conformed to the spirit of this world—exalting self, pursuing status, and elevating personal importance above humility and surrender. This spirit cannot stand in the presence of a holy God. Scripture calls us not to self-exaltation, but to deny ourselves, walk humbly, and honor Him above all else.
God has not changed, nor has His power diminished. If His manifest presence seems distant, the problem does not lie with Him, but with us. A casual and careless approach to a holy God cannot sustain an atmosphere where His glory is welcomed and revealed. Reverence is not empty ritual; it is the rightful response to the majesty, holiness, and authority of God.
If we desire a deeper experience of His presence, then we must recover a deeper understanding of His holiness. Where there is true awe, humility, and honor toward God, there is room for His glory to dwell among His people.
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” — Hebrews 12:28–29 (ESV)
Pray
Lord, forgive me for ever approaching You with a casual or irreverent attitude. Teach me to honor You rightly—in my thoughts, my words, and my actions. Restore in me a holy fear of Your name, that I may walk in a way that welcomes Your presence and reflects Your glory.
Enough Said
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by Your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16 (ESV)
