Good morning Church,

As we heard yesterday in Acts 2, everything we read about the power and glory of the early church flowed from a clear foundation: devotion to the Word, fellowship with one another, remembrance of Jesus’ work on the cross, and prayer.

And what was the result?

Acts 2:43 says, “And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.”

That word awe does not mean panic or terror. It speaks of holy reverence, deep honor, and a sacred awareness that God was truly among His people. They were devoted to Christ, and the presence of God became undeniable in their midst.

And one of the greatest wonders God can ever do is not merely something visible on the outside, but something deep within the human heart. God can take a distracted heart and make it reverent. He can take a cold heart and make it tender. He can take a proud heart and make it humble. He can take a self-sufficient heart and teach it to depend on Him.

These are evidence of God’s presence in a church. So why is there so little awe in many churches today?

Perhaps it is because we want the outcome of Acts 2 without the devotion of Acts 2. We want the presence of God without surrender to the Word. We want a community without true fellowship. We want worship without remembering the weight of the cross. We want power without prayer. 

The Acts 2 church was devoted to the Word, devoted to one another, devoted to the Table, and devoted to prayer. And as they gave themselves to these things, God made His presence known among them.

Only God can bring awe.

So today, let us ask the Lord to bring us back to holy awe. Not casual religion. Not church life built on self-sufficiency. But a deep, reverent awareness that the living God is truly among His people.

Be Encouraged,

Mathews