10 Reasons David’s Called “A Man After God’s Own Heart”

(Part 2 David Was Reverent)

“And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will” (Acts 13:22)

This is the second of 10 articles that are descriptive of king David’s character as it pertains to his being a man after God’s own heart. We know David trusted God, now we see that necessary trait in his character called “Reverence”. Necessary because a man who does not understand what it means to be reverent, cannot be pleasing to God.

The Psalmist praised Jehovah by saying, “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.” (Psa. 111:9 KJV, ASV, ERV, etc…). Most of the newer versions have the word “awesome” in place of “reverend”. Some have “terrible”, some “awe-inspiring”, some “holy and terrifying”, some “fearsome and holy” and the Young’s Literal Translation has, “Holy and fearful is His name”.

If you asked Merriam-Webster what the biblical definition of reverence is you’ll read: “1: honor or respect felt or shown: deference especially: profound adoring awed respect. 2: a gesture of respect (such as a bow) 3: the state of being revered. And 4: one held in reverence —used as a title for a clergyman” In respect of the text and how this word is applied, I find discuss and err-reverence toward anyone who would elevate themselves, giving themselves the title, “Reverend”. As for the word and how it is to be viewed, we must turn to the Hebrew and see for ourselves.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (Psalm 111:9) “3 inspire reverence, godly fear, and awe: (a.) as attribute of God, that thou mightest be revered Psalm 130:4; (the) great and awful (God) Deuteronomy 7:21; Deuteronomy 10:17; Nehemiah 1:5; Nehemiah 4:8; Nehemiah 9:32; Daniel 9:4; with  above all gods Psalm 96:4 = 1 Chronicles 16:25; above the angels round about him Psalm 89:8. (b.) of the name of Yahweh Deuteronomy 28:58; Psalm 99:3; Psalm 111:9; Malachi 1:14. (c.) of sacred things: Judges 13:6; place of theophany Genesis 28:17.

Whether English or Hebrew, the truth stands out God’s name is reverend and described as awesome, great and fearful. The LORD must be revered with fear and trembling by all. David wrote, “Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling” (Psa. 2:10-11). Paul wrote, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12). You might ask why? Why fear the God of love, merciful and good? Solomon speaks plainly, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Eccl. 12:13-14.)

The LORD’s holiness, almighty power, righteous judgement to come should heap up awe in us, demanding our reverence and respect for Him. Consider His almighty power in contrast with your weakness, then what it will be like to stand in His presence. Will you then imagine yourself standing face to face with the creator proud and strong or in fear and trembling? I pray you choose the latter, and if so, that is how we all ought to show reverence for the LORD today, and every day.

Numerous examples can be found in the OT of men showing reverence for the Lord. One is found in Isaiah 6:1-8. Isaiah saw the LORD, “sitting on a throne, high and lifted up”, He was surrounded by seraphim which were crying one to another, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” (6:3). What was Isaiah’s reaction? He said, “Woe is me, for I am [a]undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (6:5). His attitude? Awe, fear, reverence! What of Moses when God told him “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”? What was Moses’s reaction? “Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God” (Exodus 3:6). Search and you’ll find many examples where men rightly trembled and feared God.

Throughout, the Mosaic law we see demonstrated the reverence which is to be given to the Lord our God. The particular reverence due to God is commanded of mankind. “But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him” (Hab. 2:20). Who will deny that the LORD is to be reverenced? not I. However, it is clear that some may find disagreement with the following matters of judgement reflecting a lack of reverence and respect toward the LORD.

The dress which we wear to worship, and in some cases in public. This has notably changed in recent years. We’ve all noticed larger numbers of Christians attending worship services in casual attire, and some in altogether sinful, immodest clothing. In direct violation of God’s word regarding modest apparel, this irreverence toward the person of God and Jesus is done without fear. Our overall irreverence didn’t start within worship for now days you’ll see immodest, disrespectful dress at weddings and funerals also. Why? False teachers, false religion has deposed God in the minds of most who see God today as a teddy bear soft and fluffy rather than God whose name is reverend, and who will judge with righteous judgement. Am I legislating what you “must wear” to worship God acceptably? No way! I’ve known people who worship wearing the best they have, which is often referred to as “my special Sunday-go-to-meeting pair of overalls”. I appreciate their attitude of reverence for coming into the worship service of God much more than I appreciate the casual worldly attitudes many have, in these days, acquired toward worship.

Conduct during the assembly. In a similar way I have also seen disrespect for the worship of God shown in the conduct of those assembled for worship. What the preacher sees: Clipping nails, children playing video games and running about, cellphones (when used other than for Bible reading), passing of notes, and the whispering and disrespectful conduct, without concern for other members. There was a time at one congregation when I stopped preaching and asked a member and her daughter, “Let me know when you’re done, and I’ll continue.” The real two-fold problem with this is one, the silent member who puts up with disrespect for a while, then just leaves to attend elsewhere and two, the visitor who never comes back.

Aside from the fact that such conduct is disrespectful to the person addressing the assembly, such conduct shows a lack of reverence to God. Disrespect to Him who gives us all His attention, who provides for our every need, who carries our burdens, and who died on that cross for us all. Many today have lost reverence, fear, and awe of God and it shows not only in day to day life, but in how we view the entire concept of what it means to reverence the name of God.

Solomon wrote, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Prov. 1:7). Jesus warned us, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matt. 10:28).

As Christians we must manifest within our own hearts the respect for the worship, which is offered to God, which is due to Him, never forgetting we are in the presence of the Lord, and must show the proper respect. In the spiritual sense, we are standing on holy ground, it is not something to be treated lightly or to be snuffed at.

Love

Dave Scarpino

“58 “If you do not carefully observe all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, THE LORD YOUR GOD, 59 then the Lord will bring upon you and your descendants extraordinary plagues—great and prolonged plagues—and serious and prolonged sicknesses.”  (Deut. 28:57-59)