His Name is Reverend

Fearing the Lord: His name is reverend.

There is a right and a wrong kind of fear. The New Testament says “fear not” many times. John says perfect loves casts out fear.  We don’t have a sinner’s fear, but we should have a believer’s fear.

Psalm 111:9 “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”

Isaiah 66 uses the word eternity and it’s the only time the word is used in the Bible. It’s enough to give us the image of the vastness  of existence after death. This passage in Psalms is the only time reverend is used in the Bible. It is used as a common noun in its appellation. It’s not a proper name but is descriptive. It is given only to God. His name is reverend because he is worthy of our fear and our worship.

There are two definitions in the dictionary; they resemble each other, but they are different.  Reverend is the title given to preachers and pastors. Actually, there is nothing biblical about this use.  Personally I don’t like to be called Reverend Surber. I know it’s done to show respect and in recognition that I am a preacher, and I do understand that. As holy as they were, none of the patriarchs or priests in the Old Testament is called reverend. No Old Testament prophets are given the title. The apostles were called such followed by their first name–Apostle Peter. When pastors are mentioned in the New Testament, such as Timothy, they are called bishops. Regardless of how close a preacher or anyone else is to the Lord, we are not sinless or perfect. Preacher is a unique calling, but each of us has a calling as equally important.

Catholics call priests “father” and believe he can forgive sins. This is entirely non-biblical. Calling a preacher reverend is a tradition that carries over from Martin Luther’s break from the Catholics. Instead of using the term father, or priest, reverend was given. It was done in innocence. By the biblical meaning only one is worthy of being regarded as sacred and holy. There is only one to whom homage should be given. It is ascribed only to God. Only he can fulfill the qualifications. Only his name can be reverend.

The psalmist is not giving God a title but a descriptive name. It is a revelation of the holiness of God that no one else dare assume. Jesus said he came in the name of the Father. He called himself the son of the living God.

Realizing all this puts us in the right spirit and right frame of mind and heart in our approach to God.  Not only do we approach God in prayer but when we think about him or speak of him. Sometimes we approach him off offhandedly or lightly. He wants us to come as we are, but he deserves respect. I don’t deserve the name reverend, and no preacher ever will. This will throw some for a loop. It is God who is perfect and deserves absolute respect. This helps us understand how to approach him. It teaches us fear of the Lord and reminds us of what we are with and without him. It is all by the mercy of God. The only one who deserves to be bowed to is God. We want to meet God having done our best.

Why?  Let’s look at verse 2.  “The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.”  His name is reverend because of what he does, and none of it is a small matter. Anything we ask of him is taken seriously.  Have you ever prayed something as simple as “Lord, help me” at not being able to hammer a nail or button a shirt? I have. What happens?  We’re able to do it. All his works are great, even those thought trivial to us.

Verse 3: “His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.” We ascribe the term honorable to soldiers who fight for their country. They love their homeland.  What God does is honorable. He’s never done anything to be ashamed of. He’s honest. He loves us; that is honorable.

Verse 4:  “He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.”  God deserves the name because of his regard for us. He’s gracious. He cuts us lots of slack. Why can’t we cut him some slack? We argue with him and get impatient with him. He still gives us slack and space to be human. He’s gracious to us. No wonder we call him reverend.

Verse 5:  “He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.” He promises and provides.  He stands good on those promises. None of them have failed; if we’ve not seen it yet, we see the process of fulfillment through his provision.  When we eat meat, it takes some chewing. God gives our soul something to chew on. His promises are protein. He deserves the name.

Verse 6:  “He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.” His power is shown in our behalf. God doesn’t have to do a thing for us. If we got what we deserve, the hounds of Satan would get us. God has power to overcome what we cannot, and he manifests it every day we live. He defeats the devil. He provides. His hand is on us. There is nothing worthy in us. All of this shows us he deserves homage and the name reverend.

Verse 7:  “The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.” We can trust him. He’s never altered. His verity is so sure that we can trust it with our life.  One such as this deserves the name reverend. I can trust him with my heart. He loves me more than I can ever imagine.

Verse 10:  “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”  To learn God’s name and that only he deserves the name reverend is to begin to learn the fear of the Lord. This fear is the beginning of wisdom.

Let’s exclusively call him reverend.

Think about this for next week.  What is the fear of the Lord?