The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is insight. – Proverbs 9:10
bible verses about awe
Recognizing God’s Majesty
As we think about the awe we have for God, it leads us to fully recognize His majesty. It is through His creation, His works, and His faithful presence that we begin to see just how magnificent He is. When we look around, the beauty of nature, the intricate design of life, and the vastness of the universe all point towards our magnificent Creator. When we stand in awe of our Lord, we grow in our desire to worship Him and align our lives with His will. Together, let’s remind ourselves that our awe should lead us to a deeper relationship with Him, and through that relationship, we can find true joy and purpose.
Psalm 104:24
“O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” – Psalm 104:24
Isaiah 40:26
“Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power, not one is missing.” – Isaiah 40:26
Psalm 8:1
“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.” – Psalm 8:1
Romans 1:20
“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” – Romans 1:20
Job 26:14
“Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?” – Job 26:14
Awareness of Our Limitations
In recognizing the awe of God, we also become aware of our own limitations. As we compare ourselves to His greatness, we understand that we are only human and that our understanding is limited. This realization humbles us and drives us to seek His guidance in our lives. We might feel small when we think of God’s infinite wisdom, but it is in this smallness where we find our strength through Him. Acknowledging our limitations allows us to deepen our reliance on God and trust in His plan, which is ever so brilliant.
Psalm 147:5
“Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.” – Psalm 147:5
Isaiah 55:8-9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9
2 Corinthians 12:9
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
James 4:10
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” – James 4:10
Romans 12:3
“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” – Romans 12:3
The Call to Worship
Our recognition of God’s marvelous deeds and character naturally leads us to worship. When we are in awe of God, it ignites a desire in us to express that admiration through praise and worship. This includes not just singing songs but also the way we conduct our lives, Treating others around us as God commands, and serving with open hearts reflects our awe for Him. Worship is a lifestyle, and when we live in reverence and awe of God’s greatness, our lives become a beautiful song to Him. We are reminded that our every breath and action can be an offering of praise.
Psalm 29:2
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.” – Psalm 29:2
Hebrews 12:28
“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.” – Hebrews 12:28
Psalm 96:9
“Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!” – Psalm 96:9
Revelation 4:11
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” – Revelation 4:11
Psalm 100:4
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!” – Psalm 100:4
Awe in the Presence of God
When we come before God, we enter a sacred space that evokes awe within us. The thought of being in the presence of the Almighty Creator can be overwhelming and yet incredibly comforting. It is here that we find peace, strength, and assurance. The Bible encourages us to approach God with reverence and awe because we acknowledge His holiness. In His presence, we can lay down our burdens and fears, allowing us to experience His grace and love in profound ways. Together, we can seek ways to envelop ourselves in His presence in our daily lives.
Psalm 114:7
“Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob.” – Psalm 114:7
Exodus 34:29
“When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, he did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.” – Exodus 34:29
Isaiah 6:5
“And I said: ‘Woe is me! For I am lost; for 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!’” – Isaiah 6:5
Matthew 28:17
“And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.” – Matthew 28:17
Malachi 1:14
“Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.” – Malachi 1:14
Awe and Fear of God
The Bible often speaks of the fear of God, which is a response to His greatness and authority. This fear is not about being scared but rather about holding a deep respect and reverence for who God is and what He can do. Recognizing God’s judgment and power should create a healthy awe in us that motivates us to live according to His commands. When we understand that His fear is the beginning of wisdom, we realize that living with this awe helps us make better choices and honors God in our day-to-day lives.
Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. – Proverbs 1:7
Proverbs 14:27
“The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.” – Proverbs 14:27
Psalm 33:8
“Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!” – Psalm 33:8
Ecclesiastes 12:13
“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” – Ecclesiastes 12:13
Luke 12:5
“But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!” – Luke 12:5
The Joy of Awe
Experiencing awe in our faith leads us to joy and fulfillment that can’t be matched. When we deeply feel the wonder and admiration for God, our hearts overflow with gratitude and happiness. This joy strengthens our relationship with God, making us more resilient during life’s difficulties. As we share this joy with others, we encourage them to experience their own awe for God. The joy of awe is contagious, so let us keep spreading it and sharing the happiness that comes from being amazed by God’s presence and power in our lives.
Psalm 4:7
“You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” – Psalm 4:7
John 15:11
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” – John 15:11
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” – Romans 15:13
1 Peter 1:8
“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.” – 1 Peter 1:8
Psalm 126:3
“The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.” – Psalm 126:3
Final Thoughts
Awe is such a vital part of our Christian experience. It reminds us of God’s greatness, our limitations, and the importance of worship. When we stand in awe of God, we find a deeper sense of gratitude that leads us to worship Him wholeheartedly. The fear of the Lord isn’t meant to scare us; it teaches us respect and reverence for His holiness. As we become more aware of His splendor, we realize that this awe transforms our relationship with Him, leading us to joy and peace. Let’s continue embracing this awe and sharing it with those around us, as we point them towards the incredible love of our God.
As we reflect on these verses about awe, we are encouraged to explore more uplifting topics like love and encouragement or delve into the joy that comes from faith in God, as presented in joy and thankfulness.