REVERE HIM
by Lahry Sibley

Nehemiah 1:11a Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name.
REVERE - to offer honor or respect to (someone) as a divine power. Synonyms for revere: adore, deify, glorify, reverence, venerate, worship, with such a respect that is evidenced by obedience.
If there is no "obedience" there is no reverence. More, if we have reverence for HIS name, we have a reverential respect for one another, as benevolent endearment that covers a multitude of sin(s).
To REVERENCE HIM, should esteem HIM as the centerpiece of life itself. The Jews know this and do this. Their very existence centered around their relationship with HIM. Gentile life centers more around humanism and self centered life.
Understand I'm not advocating messianic judahism. But it seems to me we could learn much and modify our lifestyles dramatically, by "revering" the MOST HIGH as the Jews do. The 10 commandments are the guide posts of living for them. To most others, so called "christians" also, personal lusts and ambitions are king. YEHOVAH is someone we know about, but has little to no significance in how we choose to live our lives.
In our text, the prophet speaks of revering not only HIM, but HIS name also. And HIS word? HE exalts that above HIS name. If we have so much respect for HIS word, why is it so many are reluctant to admit that they have any responsibility at all to live by HIS word?
What about just getting alone with HIM, in awe of HIM? Just let your spirit groan deep inside, from communion with HIM? What about separating yourself from any and all who do not reverence HIS name, and HIS word.
Sadly, we have brought our image of HIM, down to a likeness of ourselves and each other, and as with life friends and acquaintances, relationship is optional.
Do you serve an "optional god"? Today would be a great day to think about this, and activate the faith you say you have. Make obedience and honor for HIM your ultimate quest for living. Stop and take HIM into account for every word spoken, every action taken, every thought pondered. Should this not be the highest of all priorities today? What occupies your thoughts, guides the love of your heart.
YEHOVAH is speaking to you, right now, at this moment. Will you respond as HE expects you too? As HE desires you too? Or will you ascribe HIS obvious glory to any and every thing around you, other than HIM who deserves all the glory there is?
Here's a clue. How is your prayer life? Do you even pray? If you do pray for a moment here and there, is there any response from the DIVINE ONE? Perhaps reverence for HIM, HIS name, and HIS word, is not as it should be. Only you can change this. Will you? Today?
Friend, your response could make the difference in where you will spend eternity. Is that important to you? It is to me. Dare you, dare we, shrug this message off, and turn and walk away, and follow HIM no more?

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Lahry Sibley