Titus 2

We looked last week at the need to continually walk in reverence of God. Before other Biblical principles can be truly established we must learn to fear God (you know, that good old-fashioned kind of fear — reverential awe).

Reverence of God entails worship of Him. It must. It’s automatic. Consequently, His people who know and fear Him are worshipers.

Let’s consider a familiar story from scripture, the story of Mary and Martha.

Luke 10.38-40 As Jesus and his disciples went on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him in her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat down at the feet of the Lord and listened to his teaching. Martha was upset over all the work she had to do, so she came and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me!” The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha! You are worried and troubled over so many things, but just one is needed. Mary has chosen the right thing, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Is this story telling us that service is a wrong priority? Are we to spend our days only sitting at His feet in worship while our neighbors and family have needs? No, of course not. Our favorite Proverbs 31 woman shows us that service to God is active service to others.

What we learn here is the key to making our service successful: worship Him first. “Worship first” brings forth many good things such as:

1. confidence in God.

Martha’s expressed concern was, “Don’t you care…?” When we take time to come before Him with honest loving hearts, acknowledging our needs and His divine ability to provide, we grow in confidence of His care. 1 Peter 5.7 Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you. The question becomes irrelevant, a moot point. We don’t even wonder such things. Unlike Martha, we are confident of His care.

2. a meek and quiet spirit.

When our eyes have been set upon Him, perfect peace is ours. Our spirits settle; angst is gone. Gaze upon Him, hear His words, and let your soul find rest. Peter calls for a meek and quiet spirit to be our ornamentation (1 Peter 3.3,4); it can be attained in no other way. Martha got so busy that she lost her meek and gentle spirit.

3. a listening ear.

When we are showing deep respect to someone, we take time to focus and listen. We teach this important principle to our children from an early age. Surely we would sit and listen to the President of the U.S. were he to pay a visit. I doubt that we would interrupt him or miss his words to us. If we show respect by careful and polite listening to others, how much more should our attention be given to Him and His words. We develop a listening ear. “For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Who hath been His counselor?” Romans 11.34 He has wisdom to reveal if we listen. Martha was in need of wisdom and Jesus had wisdom to give.

4. greater fruitfulness.

Can we get alot done if we put forth effort? Of course. It’s the American way (didn’t you grow up being told you can do anything if you put your mind to it?!) Even Martha was getting a meal put together. The problem was the spirit in which it was accomplished. Proverbs 17.1 tells us that a dry morsel with quietness is better than a house full of feasting with strife. Poor Martha - strife was threatening to spoil her party. We can get much done in our own strength, but Godly fruitfulness is better.

5. correct priorties.

We get so distracted (or is it just me?) When I don’t take time to be in His presence, I lose sight of what is truly important. I become a Martha for sure. Caught up in details and secondary concerns, focus on the eternal things is lost. I need to regularly worship the God of all eternity so that I remember what is truly important in His sight.

Martha was prepared to serve, but not out of a reverent, happy heart. She needed time with Jesus first. The story may have been recorded differently had she sat with Him, focusing her heart and acknowledging His greatness.

“Reverence first” is a timeless principle upon which to build. Fall before Him in adoration, yielding your heart’s devotion. In all your ways acknowledge Him.

It may sound too simple, but it’s true - life really will be better when we show Him reverence first.