Isn’t God awful?
And if our churches today are not awful, they should be.
When you walk through the doors of some churches you can tell they are awful. Some churches you can’t tell at all.
Now, before you click off of this blog – let me explain the words I just wrote. This thought is not all mine. In fact, I didn’t realize the use of a certain word until I read a devotional back in February. The devotional was taken from Marva Dawn’s book titled “Talking the Walk.”
Back when Marva Dawn was in High School, she insisted on using the word AWE-FULL in an assignment. She spelled A W E dash F U L L. She was trying to “describe something so exalted as to arouse reverence.” The teacher said she should use the word’s common spelling and its usage to reflect something dreadful. In her book, Marva went on to say that if her and the teacher would have looked in the dictionary, the first definition of the word is “inspiring awe; highly impressive.”
Not until the second, third or fourth definition (depending on what dictionary you are reading) does the negative meaning show up.
Being intrigued, I looked at a few dictionaries and sure enough:
AWFUL – spelled A W F U L is there and it means “inspiring awe” and “very great” and “Highly impressive.”
So I bought into and sharing with you the idea:
And I say again, ISN”T GOD AWFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now, I don’t think we can discuss an Awful God without looking at some of the magnificent words inspired by Him.
I love the way that Hebrews Chapter 12, verse 18 through 29 lays it out and breaks it down for us... Whoever translated the original author’s words and divided the words into scripture verses had a God given knack to do so.
Hebrews Chapter 12 is preceded by chapter 11 “The Faith Chapter” as I like to call it.
Then chapter 12 starts with instructions to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”
Then it proceeds with talk of Discipline. And then this leads us into the Hebrews’ (the people) knowledge of the Old Testament and it gives many examples.
Verses 18 through 29 are separated in such a way where they move and flow like a well thought out movie or poem.
The first groups of verses – 18 – 21 – are like an example of the past. They parallel our childhood. When our parents and their’s before them maybe talked about how times were harder when they were kinds – walking to school in the snow etc. – This pattern will go on and on in ours and our children’s lives.
In the Hebrews text. The people spoke to did not come to the mountain burning with fire. A sight so terrifying that Moses said “I am trembling with fear.”
Then we move into a feeling of wonder and beauty and the reality of what they can expect.
Mount Zion, Heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the Living God, thousands and thousands of Angels. To God – the judge of all men. – to Jesus – the mediator.
AWFUL
French Monk, Bernard of Clairveux, said “I have seen a fraction of God’s glory, and it is awesome.”
The third section of our text is reminiscent to a warning, and in my opinion a declaration.
The warning - “See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks.”
The declaration – “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the Heavens.”
The last element of our passage; the Blessed Assurance with a little reminder.
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29 (NIV)
Isn’t God great!?!
Isn’t God powerful!?!
Shouldn’t we be in AWE of Him?
God IS so powerful and great, but as C.S. Lewis said, “The hardness of God is kinder than the softness of men.”
