Good things can happen when we experience awe. In 2015, research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology revealed that goose bump-eliciting awe helps people move from self-interest to deeper awareness of others and their concerns. In essence, awe leads to blessing!
The way God works to bless us and perform His perfect plans, something called providence, causes me to stand in awe of Him. Just consider how He quietly, invisibly directed events in the book of Esther to lead and protect His people. In chapter 1, the Persian king Xerxes, full of himself and probably way too many cups of wine (Esther 1:8,10), made the decision to banish his beautiful wife Vashti because she wouldn’t come to his drunken affair and be ogled by his cronies (Esther 1:11-12,19-21).
Xerxes’ decision put into motion a series of events that included a young woman named Esther being added to his harem. Esther, a Jew, melted the king’s heart with her beauty and character, causing him to fall deeply in love with her (Esther 2:17). Later, because of her influence on Xerxes, Esther was used by God to keep His people from genocide (Esther 8:5-16).
A summary of the story might look like this: Drunken king cuts ties with queen, falls in love with new queen—a Jew. Haman hates the Jews and gets the king to sign an edict to terminate them. Esther convinces the king that Haman and his plans are bad news, causing the king to terminate him instead while the Jews go on to enjoy honor and prosperity.
The same awe-inspiring One who directed those events still presides over all things today (Romans 11:36). May we stand in awe of God and His providential ways—blessing Him and others He brings to us!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Job 42:1-17
More:
Read Psalm 47:2 and consider why God is so awe-inspiring.
Next:
Where and when do you find yourself most in awe of God? How can being in awe of Him lead you to be a blessing to others?
doctor-perspective on May 11, 2016 at 1:45 am
Awe is our response to our recognition of the yawning gap between our finite inability, and God’s infinite ability. Awe is best experienced the more we understand our weaknesses, limitations, frailties and dependence on each other and on God, on the one hand, and God’s sovereignty, omnipotence, creator track-record, omni-presence, omniscience and ultimate love, on the other hand. In my journey on this subject of “awe”, I have made a personal commitment to reserve the word “awesome” for God and for His works. For me, if it is “awesome”, it has to be of God!
But, to what daily use can I put my awareness of the awesomeness of God?
Awe inspires worship! A Few years ago I was taken to a summit on the Alps. It was freezing cold and the wind was brisk. Yet I distinctly remember the heat of the tears on my cheeks as I viewed but a glimpse of the majestic creation splendor and majesty of my Heavenly Father who called into being not just the Alps and the Grand Canyon and Kaiteur Falls, but the moon and stars and all creation by the WORD of His power. Instantly and without rehearsal, my hands went up, the floodgates of my eyes opened, and as best as I could with an emotionally choked voice, I erupted with,
“Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee… How Great Thou Art… How Great thou art!”
Tom Felton draws our attention to the blessing that we can be to others when we stand in awe of God because we are the first recipients of that blessing. Jesus was speaking both literally and figuratively when in John 12:32, He said, “As for Me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to Myself.” As our daily worship is inspired by the awesomeness of God, we will have no choice but to represent Him to those around us as we lift Him up. And there is no better gift than a personal referral to Jesus, that we can give to those with whom we come into daily contact.
sandy229 on May 11, 2016 at 10:03 am
Wow, what an awesome experience you had Dr. P. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Tom Felten on May 11, 2016 at 11:22 am
Love these thoughts, good doctor! I too have been moved while standing in the midst of God’s amazing creation many, many times. But isn’t it beautiful how awe and worship for God steadily seeps into our lives throughout our days?
hsnpoor on May 11, 2016 at 12:31 pm
Unfortunately, I’ve never been to Europe, but hope to do so before the Lord calls me home. What does it for me; though, is the beauty of the Hawaiian islands, the Grand Canyon, the Caribbean Islands; but, the best for me is Niagara Falls! Anyone who can witness that amazing spectacle and not recognize and believe there is a Creator God is literally deaf, dumb and blind and I truly pity their deadness of soul & spirit.
You’ve given me pause about how I use the word “awesome”. Long before I accepted the gift of salvation offered by Jesus, I grew up in Southern California, the land of “Valley Girl” euphemisms; “awesome” being a very prevalent one that I continue to use to this day. However, I tend to categorize the use between what is “awesome” and what is “AWESOME”, at least in my head. Only that which is of God is “AWESOME”!
Blessings to all on this wonderful site!
Tom Felten on May 11, 2016 at 1:38 pm
hsnpoor, I have a son in southern California. So much beauty there! When my wife and I were with him recently, we took a hike far back to a beautiful waterfall. I remember standing before it and worshiping God for what He had made. Yes, truly God alone is AWESOME!
Gary Shultz on May 11, 2016 at 6:13 am
Tom, although I do not read the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology they do have something with this point. Living in the country and rural areas it is always inspiring to drink in God’s unfolded work. Certainly the book of Ester is an account of God’s providence…… What has been running through my mind for some time is, how does God care for each of us at one time? I certainly know he does, but the shear volume of people, events, and happenings around the world plus ruling over heaven to me is staggering. It does not cause me to doubt, but it does cause me to consider how great, how awesome, how big is the God who cares for me. I feel so small, and yet so very important. It’s nice to know we don’t know everything because God does. Thanks, Tom WBP
Tom Felten on May 11, 2016 at 11:24 am
Our amazing, omnipotent God truly inspires awe, Gary! Amen.
hsnpoor on May 11, 2016 at 12:38 pm
Hi Gary…. I’m thinking it’s not only “nice” to know that God knows everything, but somehow “freeing” as well; a gift that too many of our siblings in Christ fail to walk in and don’t want to see others accept either.
sandy229 on May 11, 2016 at 2:10 pm
To me that is also very awesome how God can hear each of us at the same time and how He knows what we are going to say before we even think about it and how he knows this about everyone, everywhere……it’s staggering awesome!!!
gagirllive on May 11, 2016 at 6:46 am
Tom, it has always amazed me how God is not mentioned one time in the book of Esther yet He is so blatantly present from the beginning to the end of the record. He has made His awesome self known to us in so many ways—from creation to the cross…and still today He is moving among us and lives within us through the fellowship of His Spirit. I have been fortunate to have traveled to some very beautiful and awe-inspiring places around the world, but honestly, where I find myself most in awe of God has been in my “quiet place” with Him…in the Secret Place of the Most High. To know that the Sovereign of the world reveals Himself to me and delights in making my heart His home astounds me. He is my Faithful Friend. Overcome by this grace, my heart is filled with love and gratitude, and that is the joy I want to spill over into my being a blessing in the lives of others. “Our God is an Awesome God”…Rich Mullins got it right, didn’t he? Thanks, Tom.
samgaskill on May 11, 2016 at 9:05 am
Beautiful said gagirl! The awesome God we love coming intimately into our quiet times, desiring even to be with us, with me! Nothing compares! Blessings to all you dear dear people!
sandy229 on May 11, 2016 at 9:58 am
Our God truly is an awesome God, and yes Rich Mullins did get it right!! I really love that song. Whenever I go to the mountains, I feel closer to God because of all His mighty wonders!! It’s also so soothing to just sit by myself with God and talk with Him. I have found that even in my backyard, I made a rock garden with all the rocks God has blessed me with and I look at each rock and no rock is the same. I have always loved to look at rocks. Even when I was little, I remember collecting rocks and taking them home with me. Holy is the Lord God Almighty, and how great and awesome is He. Everywhere you look you see His mighty wondrous finger prints. He paints the sky every morning and at sunset. I know I can share with others all of this and tell them how awesome God really is. I made too many tomato plants this year, so I have been sharing them with my neighbors, then I finally had to put out a sign that said, “free tomato plants”, and I told them God has blessed us with all that we have so we wanted to share with others when some of them tried to give me money for them. It’s truly awesome just planting a seed, and they all look alike, but God knows already what kind of tomato we will get from each and every seed.
jim spillane on May 11, 2016 at 10:36 am
sandy229 – thanx for sharing that. You are one of my favorite commenters here. As I was reading about how you handled your tomato plant situation, I was reminded of the story about the landowner who’s plentiful harvest was too much for his barns, so what did he do? He built more and bigger barns. God had blessed him with a bountiful harvest, but instead of sharing with his neighbors, he increased his storage capacity. Not the right thing to do, as he was later chastened for. You, on the other hand, showed your love for all that God had provided for you (and so much more) and you were more than willing to share with others. Be assured that this did not escape the “crowd of heavenly witnesses” and you will be abundantly blessed for it.
sandy229 on May 11, 2016 at 10:57 am
Thank you so much Jim, for your kind words, and to God be the glory.
sandy229 on May 11, 2016 at 11:09 am
Oh and just so you know Jim, I love reading your comments also. Your comments are always so thought provoking!!
hsnpoor on May 11, 2016 at 12:47 pm
Very good point, but if I may, Jim, I think God did more than chasten him for his hoarding. I do believe he called him a fool and said his life would be demanded of him that very night! Quite a stiff penalty, but very instructive to future generations. Hopefully his heirs were better and more generous stewards of their inheritance.
sandy229 on May 11, 2016 at 1:24 pm
Actually I was blessed just by being able to share with them. Each time I am in my yard, when someone walks by, they tell me how beautiful our yard is, and how they always see me in the yard doing something…..so to me it was a true blessing to be able to share with them, plus I only have 2 green houses….lol……don’t want or need another one. I spend way too much time in the yard as it is……lol
samgaskill on May 11, 2016 at 1:27 pm
Oh my!! You garden too! Love it!! Another place I find myself at rest and able to hear from God! Lord Bless all you grow Sandy!!
gagirllive on May 11, 2016 at 11:41 am
I love it, Sandy…You enjoy the the Rock of Ages in your rock garden! 🙂
hsnpoor on May 11, 2016 at 12:41 pm
LOL!
sandy229 on May 11, 2016 at 1:25 pm
thank you gagirl. 🙂
sandy229 on May 11, 2016 at 2:17 pm
LOL
samgaskill on May 11, 2016 at 12:45 pm
Sandy, smiling at the mention of your rock collection! I’ve enjoyed countless hours as a “rock hound” and have many rocks in my home as “Ebenezer” stones to remind me of “My Rock” that has helped me through perilous journeys in my life! While out west this winter everyday I was totally overwhelmed by God’s Majesty everywhere! I feel very loved and cared about when I am quiet and surrounded by the things Gods hands have made! Thank you for sharing today! Wish I had some of those tomatoes today! Still only “seeds” here in Michigan! And also wanted to say you and your sons remain in my prayers. Blessed by your encouragement in ODB today! Love to you and all my brothers and sisters here, Mary.
sandy229 on May 11, 2016 at 2:17 pm
I wish I could send some your way!! I usually plant the seeds the end of January and keep them indoors until after any danger of frost. The reason I have so many is because I found a pack of seeds while I was spring cleaning, but they were from the year 2000. I was going to just throw them away when my husband urged me to plant them. He said I have a green thumb and anything I plant will grow…so I wanted to prove him wrong….lol…..every seed I planted grew, so I had over a hundred plants from this group not to mention all the other seeds I planted…..he was right, I was wrong. So after the devotional today, I see that I should listen to my husband….he knows better than I do but God knows more than anyone else and He knew this would happen so He made it possible for me to share. What an awesome God!!
Tom Felten on May 11, 2016 at 11:26 am
He sure did, gagirllive. I love that song by Rich—a man who so evidently lived in awe of his Creator!
hsnpoor on May 11, 2016 at 1:30 pm
Yes, gagirlive! The fact that God knows the very number of the hairs on my head; or, would even care to know, is nothing short of amazing! I was listening to J Vernon McGee on my way into work this morning. He told the story of a Christian mother who sent her son off to college and he came back denying Christ and ridiculing her faith saying she was just a speck in the universe, so how or why would God care about her. Her reply was wonderful! She agreed with him that his estimation of her was right on target and if she were to perish without eternal life, it would not be any big deal to anyone; but, it would make a liar out of God and she just didn’t believe he would tarnish his reputation like that. He is indeed An Awesome God, God, God! (I like Rich Mullins too, but I’m kind of partial to Fred Hammond’s version…:). We are a blessed people!
gagirllive on May 11, 2016 at 2:36 pm
So many remakes of this wonderful song. I like them all!
godlove on May 11, 2016 at 4:40 pm
I hadn’t noticed that God is not mentioned in the whole book of Esther. Just goes to say God is always there even when we don’t know He is there. He might not be mentioned but His power was definitely at work. Thanks for that insight gagirl.
gagirllive on May 11, 2016 at 5:30 pm
Amen, godlove…He moves providentially among His people still today. It is a comfort to know that He is often working “behind the scenes”—as you said in your earlier post—working all things for our good and His glory. Esther is such a fascinating book. It’s hard to believe that she was once queen over what is now modern-day Iran!
hsnpoor on May 11, 2016 at 8:30 pm
I did Beth Moore’s Bible Study on Esther. As a matter of fact, I’ve done several of her studies and Esther was, by far, my favorite. It’s subtitle was something along the lines of “It’s hard being a woman in a man’s world” and my favorite chapter was Chapter 2, I think (I’m recalling this from memory), which was subtitled “It’s hard being a woman when beauty is a treatment”. Get it?
elegantstarr1 on May 11, 2016 at 7:21 am
My God is awesome, He can move a mountains
Keep me in the valley, hide me from the rain
My God is awesome, heals me when I’m broken
Strength where I’ve been weakened, forever He will reign
(repeat)
My God is awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome
My God is awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome
My God is awesome, Savior of the whole world
Giver of salvation, by His stripes I am healed
My God is awesome, today I am forgiven
His grace is why I’m living, praise His holy name
My God is awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome
He’s mighty, He’s mighty, He’s mighty, He’s mighty, Awesome, Awesome
He’s Holy, He’s Holy, He’s Holy, He’s Holy,
Awesome, Awesome
He’s Great, He’s Great, He’s Great, He’s Great, Awesome, Awesome
He’s mighty, He’s mighty, He’s mighty, He’s mighty, Awesome, Awesome
Deliverer, Deliverer, Deliverer, Deliverer,
Awesome, Awesome
He’s Holy, He’s Holy, He’s Holy, He’s Holy,
Awesome, Awesome
Provider, Provider, Provider, Provider,
Awesome, Awesome
Protector, Protector, Protector, Protector,
Awesome, Awesome
My God is awesome, He can move mountains
Keep me in the valley, hide me from the rain
My God is awesome, heals me when I’m broken
Strength where I’ve been weakened,
Praise His holy name
samgaskill on May 11, 2016 at 9:07 am
Perfect! Our awesome God is ALL we need as this song reveals! My heart “tune” for the day!
elegantstarr1 on May 12, 2016 at 12:03 am
That song immediately came to my mind as I read the devotional this morning, I couldn’t help but to post/share it.
sandy229 on May 11, 2016 at 10:00 am
Yes, Amen! This is an awesome song! I don’t remember hearing this song before.
elegantstarr1 on May 11, 2016 at 11:54 pm
Hi guys! So sorry I omitted the song information. The title of the song is “My God is Awesome by Pastor Charles Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago. Check it out on YouTube or Google…it’s awesome!
sandy229 on May 12, 2016 at 10:16 am
Oh WOW!! Thank you so much elegantstarr1. I had never heard that song before. I am so blessed! Thank you for sharing this. I just listened to it and now I truly see why the comments were made about this song!! I love it!! God bless you for sharing this!!
Tom Felten on May 11, 2016 at 11:28 am
Love these lyrics. Thanks for sharing, elegantstarr1!
hsnpoor on May 11, 2016 at 8:35 pm
You should hear my choir sing it, Tom! We’re about 75 strong and I think every single one of us are just in love with this song and it really shows when we minister it during praise & worship.
elegantstarr1 on May 11, 2016 at 11:55 pm
You are most welcome Tom.
hsnpoor on May 11, 2016 at 8:33 pm
Elegantstarr, I saw this earlier today, but couldn’t respond at the time. I just want you to know I have been humming that song all day long! I could do much worse things with my days, but it’s so ingrained in my head and heart right now, I’m thinking I’m gonna have a hard time sleeping tonight…:) Bless you!
elegantstarr1 on May 11, 2016 at 11:59 pm
God Bless you HSNPOOR…hope you drift right off to sleep while humming that song.
hsnpoor on May 12, 2016 at 12:11 pm
I did, indeed! Especially after the Warriors (basketball team) clinched the series last night!
elegantstarr1 on May 11, 2016 at 7:23 am
Tom, what a wonderful devotional for an awesome God! Blessings to you and all on the forum.
Tom Felten on May 11, 2016 at 11:30 am
And to you, too. I get brought to the place of awe before God in the comments you and our whole worldwide community post. Praise Him!
sandy229 on May 11, 2016 at 10:02 am
Beautiful and awesome devotional today Tom! I better make this short, I got carried away earlier when I was responding to gagirl, I just kept thinking , how awesome God is.
Tom Felten on May 11, 2016 at 11:32 am
And Sandy, when we remain in awe and gratitude before Him, it’s amazing how the stuff of life is filtered—spiritual perspective comes so clearly.
godlove on May 11, 2016 at 10:39 am
Thanks for this great post today Tom. Regardless of circumstances, we can rest assured that God is in control for “we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God” (Romans 8:28). I’m convinced that our limited minds have not even begun to grasp the infiniteness of our Awesome God. Like Gary said, we are bound to wonder just HOW He manages to care for all His children at the same time, particularly when their needs are usually conflicting and satisfying one’s needs would certainly mean putting another in difficulty. And I’m not even talking about caring for all living creatures, remember he feeds the birds and clothes the flowers. Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:30 that “Even the very hairs of [our] head are all numbered.” Wow!
Tom Felten on May 11, 2016 at 11:36 am
Amen, godlove. Today a sister-in-law I love dearly is heading home from the hospital to hospice care. But as we have been on this journey as a family, God has provided so many AWE-some moments of grace and goodness and joy. We have been so blessed in this lush valley.
samgaskill on May 11, 2016 at 12:54 pm
My prayers are with you and your family Tom. May the God of all comfort provide you more love, more refuge and peace than you can possibly imagine. Take good care of yourself and one another through the power of His love. Amen
Tom Felten on May 11, 2016 at 12:57 pm
Thanks so much, samgaskill. The power of His love is definitely present!
godlove on May 11, 2016 at 1:11 pm
Praise and thanks be given to God for His care shown towards you and your family in these trying times Tom, and may He continue to keep you in His love.
Tom Felten on May 11, 2016 at 1:47 pm
So appreciate it, godlove. His presence has been so evident! (Hebrews 13:5).
gagirllive on May 11, 2016 at 1:18 pm
“…we have been so blessed in this lush valley.”…Tom, your comment reminds me of a verse that I have come to love— Psalm 84:6…”When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.” Praying that the Lord will shower refreshing springs upon all of you in the valley, dear brother.
Tom Felten on May 11, 2016 at 1:49 pm
Love that verse and, yes, it absolutely captures what we’ve been experiencing. Blessings to you!
hsnpoor on May 11, 2016 at 8:38 pm
I am so sorry for what your family must be going through, but so encouraged by your testimony of how the Lord is seeing you all through it all. My prayers are with you and yours.