11th December 2025

11th December 2025


Pray (ACts) 


Read (Job 37) 


Message (Scott Woodburn) 


In Hebrews 12v28-29 we are told "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, for our God is a consuming fire." What do you make of that? Do the words "reverence" and "awe" describe your attitude to worship? Do you see the danger of God - He is a fire that consumes and cannot be resisted?


As Elihu's speech came to a close you could rightly describe him as someone bathed in the reverence and awe of Almighty God. Elihu's heart trembled at the voice of God which thundered out from the Lord's mouth (v1-2) and no wonder. When God speaks He does great things that none of us can understand (v5). He tells the snow and rain when to fall (v6) and when the Lord speaks both humanity and the beasts of the field stop what they are doing (v7-8). The Lord God is not a frustrated spectator when it comes to this earth - everything follows His guidance so that His will is accomplished (v12). It doesn't matter if He acts to correct our ways, for the good of this world or for sheer love, everything that happens does so because the Lord causes it (v13).


Stop for a wee minute and consider that truth. Have you ever watched a drop of rain make it's way down your window? There's no predicting which way it will go - it meanders from the left to the right, it picks up pace and gathers other drops of water and then it bursts as it reaches the bottom of the glass. There is nothing that rain drop does without the sovereign will of God and if He guides every drop of rain, then how much more will He guide your path?


Elihu wanted Job to hear this truth and to stop and consider the wondrous works of God (v14). Did Job understand how God commanded the lightning (v15)? Did he grasp how God balanced the clouds and sent the south wind (v16-17)? Could Job spread out the sky like the Lord (v18)? Of course not. What can any of us say to the Lord (v19-20)?


Where is God? In the far north (Psalm 48v2). Why? In ancient times the north was where the "gods" lived and so Elihu uses that imagery to speak of God coming from the north in golden splendour clothed in awesome majesty (v22). No one can find Him (v23), no one can match Him and He will never break His justice or righteousness (v24).


Brothers and sisters, the only proper response to our Triune Holy God is reverence and awe. We are not to be arrogantly wise questioning the Lord and calling into doubt His goodness - the Lord has no regard for such a person (v24). Instead, we are to fear Him. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom and it is a fear that doesn't hide from Him but seeks to honour Him in all things.


Christ has brought us from darkness into His marvellous light and ours is a kingdom that cannot be shaken. May we tremble at the thunderous voice of God and offer Him acceptable worship with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12v28-29).


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q42 What is the sum of the ten commandments? The sum of the ten commandments is, to love the Lord our God, with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbor as ourselves.