Awestruck in WonderSample

Awed by God

Theologian Arthur Pink once said, “Happy is the soul that has been awed by a view of God’s majesty.” Have you ever experienced God in such a way that you were totally overwhelmed and completely in awe?

Around 2006, I was speaking at camp. Prayer was supposed to happen every night for an hour and a half. The chapel was open before worship before the students all came in. No one was there as I walked in. I had a hundred things on my mind. I walked toward the platform. Music was playing in the background. I heard the lyrics, “Let the wind blow. Let the fire fall. Let the glory come down.” I was in prep mode at this point; I was not ready for prayer. But as I walked, my stride slowed. The glory of the Lord filled the space. When I got to the front of the room I fell to my knees and began weeping. God was in the room. It was almost as if He’d been waiting for me. It was so powerful. I will never forget the presence of God that night.

When God makes Himself known, people respond in many different ways. Some experience gratitude, a sense of deep thankfulness, joy, peace, weeping, a sense of deep awe, wonder, and reverence. You could call it holy fear. Pastor Tim Keller describes holy fear, or the fear of the Lord, as being in awe and wonder of God’s greatness and love. He adds that when we rightly see God for who He is and discern what God wants, then our response to Him can only be awe and wonder. We will experience the kind of awe that draws us into repentance and obedience.

Happy is the soul that has been awed by a view of God’s majesty. God is our Creator, Provider, Sustainer, and Redeemer. God is majestic in holiness, mighty in power, completely and incomparably able. He is the wonder-working Way-Maker. He is fully worthy of all of our worship, attention, allegiance, and affection. Only He can satisfy us. Only He can fill us. He not only provides, but He also generously gives us more than we need: Immeasurable love. Undeniable hope. Undeserved grace. Inconceivable mercy. Incomprehensible compassion. Unthinkable power.

He is completely transcendent, omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient.

Lord, I need to remember who You are. I worship You. Open my eyes to see Your majesty.