World Blog by humble servant.Reverencing God

 Reverencing God                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    [4:131] To GOD belongs everything in the heavens and the earth, and we have enjoined on those who received the scripture before you, and enjoined on you, that you shall reverence GOD. If you disbelieve, then to GOD belongs everything in the heavens and the earth. GOD is in no need, Praiseworthy.

[5:35] O you who believe, you shall reverence GOD and seek the ways and means to Him, and strive in His cause, that you may succeed.

[9:119] O you who believe, you shall reverence GOD, and be among the truthful.

[23:1-2] Successful indeed are the believers; who are reverent during their Contact Prayers (Salat).

Throughout the Quran, as shown in the verses above, God tells us that we are to reverence Him and be reverent of Him at all times, especially during our contact prayers (Salat). But what does it mean to be reverent?

The Merriam-Webster's English dictionary defines reverence (noun) as:

(1) honor or respect felt or shown: deference; especially: profound adoring awed  respect;

(2) a gesture of respect (as a bow).

The  Webster's Revised Unabridged dictionary defines reverence (n.) as: profound respect and esteem mingled with fear and affection, as for a holy being or place.

From these definitions it seems what God is telling us is that submitters must honor, respect, fear and love Him. That seems simple enough, and for the One who created everything and everyone and who sustains us in every possible way, it is not a lot to ask of us.

So, what do we need to do to carry out this commandment to reverence God? By God's grace, as always, God doesn't leave us without answers.

Reverencing God means being aware of and honoring Him in our lives. It means being deeply respectful of Him in our worship. Those who reverence God—worship Him and obey Him. This starts to make sense when we stop to consider the purpose of our life here on this earth. Our sole mission as far as this world goes is to choose God as our only Lord and Master and to worship Him alone in hopes of redeeming ourselves back into His eternal kingdom (51:56). In order to accomplish this we must submit all that we are to Him; we must reverence God; we must worship God; we must obey God.

[7:56] Do not corrupt the earth after it has been set straight, and worship Him out of reverence, and out of hope. Surely, GOD's mercy is attainable by the righteous.

[29:16] Abraham said to his people, "You shall worship GOD, and reverence Him. This is better for you, if you only knew.

[24:52] Those who obey GOD and His messenger, and reverence GOD and observe Him, these are the triumphant ones.

God tells us in these verses that we should worship Him "out of reverence and out of hope" (7:56, 32:16).  We should worship God out of respect and out of profound awe. Notice though that in verse 29:16 God tells us to worship and reverence Him. This means that not only do we have to "go through the motions" of worshipping God by abiding by His commandments and carrying out the rites decreed for us, but our hearts must be fully devoted as we worship. Our hearts must fill with respect, honor and love of God.

Reverencing God means putting God’s commandments above all else. Reverencing God is a continuous act of worship  is abiding by the laws He has dictated for us, behaving in the manner that pleases Him, and advocating righteousness and forbidding evil. Those who reverence God never place personal gain (3:199) or the laws of men (5:44) above the laws of God.

[3:199] Surely, some followers of the previous scriptures do believe in GOD, and in what was revealed to you, and in what was revealed to them. They reverence GOD, and they never trade away GOD's revelations for a cheap price. These will receive their recompense from their Lord. GOD is the most efficient in reckoning.

[5:44] We have sent down the Torah,* containing guidance and light. Ruling in accordance with it were the Jewish prophets, as well as the rabbis and the priests, as dictated to them in GOD's scripture, and as witnessed by them. Therefore, do not reverence human beings; you shall reverence Me instead. And do not trade away My revelations for a cheap price. Those who do not rule in accordance with GOD's revelations, are the disbelievers.

Reverencing God means respecting and honoring the guidelines (laws) which He has laid down for us (16:50-51) and fearing the consequences of going against these guidelines and displeasing our Lord, our Creator, and our Provider. By reverencing God, as submitters, we uphold our end of the covenant we make with God when we claim to believe and worship God alone. We set up no idols beside Him. We hold His commandments dear to our hearts and make every effort to please Him, and never do we "trade away God's revelations for a cheap price," (3:199) never do we place this temporary life as a priority over Him and His eternal kingdom.

The reverence for God, allows our souls to be receptive to God’s message (8:29, 26:108, 43:63, 87:9-10). Reverence lets our hearts soften up for God’s message (39:23).

[8:29] O you who believe, if you reverence GOD, He will enlighten you, remit your sins, and forgive you. GOD possesses infinite grace.

[39:23] GOD has revealed herein the best Hadith; a book that is consistent, and points out both ways (to Heaven and Hell). The skins of those who reverence their Lord cringe therefrom, then their skins and their hearts soften up for GOD's message. Such is GOD's guidance; He bestows it upon whomever He wills. As for those sent astray by GOD, nothing can guide them.

God’s submitting creatures know this, and the Quran describes the reverent nature of His creations. Immovable rocks, majestic mountains and the very heavens reverence God. Should not the human take heed?

[2:74] Despite this, your hearts hardened like rocks, or even harder. For there are rocks from which rivers gush out. Others crack and release gentle streams, and other rocks cringe out of reverence for GOD. GOD is never unaware of anything you do.

[42:5] The heavens above them almost shatter, out of reverence for Him, and the angels praise and glorify their Lord, and they ask forgiveness for those on earth. Absolutely, GOD is the Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[59:21] If we revealed this Quran to a mountain, you would see it trembling, crumbling, out of reverence for GOD. We cite these examples for the people, that they may reflect.

Praise be to God for His guidance and mercy. As He tells us, the Quran is fully detailed (6:114, 7:52, 10:37). The Quran provides us with the guidelines of what God expects from us, and how He expects us to live. May God help us obey His commandments to stay devoted to Him Alone, and to reverence Him Alone.

[16:49-51] To GOD prostrates everything in the heavens and everything on earth—every creature—and so do the angels; without the least arrogance. They reverence their Lord, high above them, and they do what they are commanded to do. GOD has proclaimed: "Do not worship two gods; there is only one god. You shall reverence Me alone.                                                                                                                               "VERSES ON GOD’S WONDROUS SIGNS

ANIMALS

[45:3-4] The heavens and the earth are full of proofs for the believers. Also in your creation, and the creation of all the animals, there are proofs for people who are certain.

[6:38] All the creatures on earth, and all the birds that fly with wings, are communities like you. We did not leave anything out of this book. To their Lord, all these creatures will be summoned.

[22:18] Do you not realize that to GOD prostrates everyone in the heavens and the earth, and the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the mountains, and the trees, and the animals, and many people? Many others among the people are committed to doom. Whomever GOD shames, none will honor him. Everything is in accordance with GOD's will.

[35:28] Also, the people, the animals, and the livestock come in various colors. This is why the people who truly reverence GOD are those who are knowledgeable. GOD is Almighty, Forgiving.

[16:79] Do they not see the birds committed to fly in the atmosphere of the sky? None holds them up in the air except GOD. This should be (sufficient) proof for people who believe

[24:45] And GOD created every living creature from water. Some of them walk on their bellies, some walk on two legs, and some walk on four. GOD creates whatever He wills. GOD is Omnipotent.