Justin Tucker
LHC Worship Pastor
Hebrews 12:28-29
28 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, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 12:28-29 reminds us of the profound truth that our God is a consuming fire. As we journey in faith, it’s crucial to cultivate a holy fear of God, recognizing His immense power and unwavering righteousness. This fear is not about trembling in terror, but about standing in awe of the Almighty Creator.
Verse 28 encourages us to offer God an acceptable worship, rooted in reverence and respect. This holy fear leads us to approach our relationship with Him with a sense of humility, recognizing our own imperfections and shortcomings in the light of His holiness. This perspective allows us to surrender our will to His, knowing that His ways are higher and more perfect than our own.
Verse 29 paints a vivid picture of God as a consuming fire. Just as fire purifies and refines, God’s presence in our lives burns away impurities, leaving us transformed and renewed. The holy fear of God acts as a refining fire in our hearts, purging us of sin and drawing us closer to His righteousness.
Our response to this holy fear is not one of dread, but of thanksgiving. Recognizing the awesome power of God’s love and mercy, we embrace a deep gratitude for His sacrifice on the cross. We understand that His consuming fire is also a fire of love, relentlessly pursuing us to restore us to Himself.
In our daily lives, a holy fear of God guides our decisions and actions. It compels us to walk in integrity, pursue righteousness, and honor Him in all we do. This fear reminds us that we are accountable to Him and drives us to live in alignment with His Word.
Let us embrace this holy fear of God with open hearts. May it be the foundation of our worship, the motivation behind our obedience, and the driving force that draws us closer to the God who loves us immeasurably. In reverent awe, let us yield to His refining fire, becoming vessels fit for His purpose.