Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
When I was in the military, we were taught the protocol to follow when we came into the presence of a superior. We were to stop whatever we were doing and come to attention until told to stop. Even then, we were to assume a rigid and uncomfortable posture known ironically as “parade rest” until the superior left. You stayed that way for as long as it took. When we expected a visit from even higher authorities, all normal work ceased as everyone turned their attention to making sure the entire environment was transformed into unlivable perfection.
It amazes me how willing we are to modify our behavior for worldly potentates, but how casual we are with God. In the military, you live by the protocol first out of fear of punishment. It is preferable to hurt a little from the protocol than it is to hurt a lot from hundreds of pushups. Eventually, you come to appreciate why it has to be that way. If men are willing to go through such great lengths for fear of men, why are we so unwilling to live by a protocol in our interactions with God? If so much is possible through fear, how much more through love?
God is not petty enough to require that we bow and scrape to him. He is unbelievably willing to condescend and endure much harsher abuse than our disrespectful attitude towards him. His glory does not depend on our willingness or ability to comprehend it. Reverence of him is not for his benefit. We are too insignificant to effect his glory one way or the other. Instead, like all other aspects of the gospel, our reverence of him is for our benefit. As we realize who he really is, and who we really are, it changes our behavior.
...if ye have known of [God’s] goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility... (Mosiah 4:11)
Did you know that powerful angels, with glory great enough to knock you to the ground were they to appear to you, fall to their faces in reverent worship every time the name of Jesus Christ is mentioned in heaven?
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 7)
Yet, here on earth, many who profess to be his followers refer to him in casual terms, as if he were their gym buddy. The Lord Jesus is the Lion of Judah, the Lamb of God, the Redeemer, the Son of God, the Everlasting Father, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. He sits on the throne surrounded by concourses of powerful beings who actively worship him and conduct the government of heaven.
Which of us would casually approach an earthly king? Who would dare approach and converse with a powerful mortal man without great care for what we say? There isn’t one of us who would act casually in front of the ruler of a great nation. Yet, we are so casual with God. If you truly believe God is the creator of the earth and heavens, has all power, and has worked out salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, why would you act any less casually in front of him than even the most powerful man in the world?
When we approach this awesome being in prayer, we ought to pray to him as if we were physically in his presence, in all his glory, seated upon his throne. We ought to kneel before our king. We ought to never approach him in a hurry if it can be helped. We ought to have great reverence for his goodness and glory, and cautiously respect his power. We ought to have great appreciation for his mercy in allowing us to converse with him. We ought to seek a private place, where we will not be interrupted, and where we can pray vocally without thinking about who can hear us. For those with families, this almost always means praying very early in the morning, before anyone else has awoken. This is reverence.
Consider the following prayer that provides a wonderful example of reverence. Here, a righteous man instructed to build closed boats to cross the ocean petitions the Lord to miraculously convert stones into sources of light for the voyage:
2 O Lord, thou hast said that we must be encompassed about by the floods. Now behold, O Lord, and do not be angry with thy servant because of his weakness before thee; for we know that thou art holy and dwellest in the heavens, and that we are unworthy before thee; because of the fall our natures have become evil continually; nevertheless, O Lord, thou hast given us a commandment that we must call upon thee, that from thee we may receive according to our desires.
3 Behold, O Lord, thou hast smitten us because of our iniquity, and hast driven us forth, and for these many years we have been in the wilderness; nevertheless, thou hast been merciful unto us. O Lord, look upon me in pity, and turn away thine anger from this thy people, and suffer not that they shall go forth across this raging deep in darkness; but behold these things which I have molten out of the rock.
4 And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea.
5 Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men. (Ether 3)
In this example, we see the cautious, godly fear of the petitioner. He does not simply blurt out his request. Though his heart is completely focused on his objective, it is carefully wrapped with sincere expressions of his respect for God. He does not presuppose that he has a right to call on God. He does not presuppose that he can dictate what the Lord does. He acknowledges that his petition’s merit comes from the the mercy of the Lord, not any entitlement. You can see this petition being appropriate to offer to a king on his throne.
Our reverence for God is an indicator of our faith in God. This is he who created the heavens and the earth. This is he who descended from the highest heaven to the earth, endured the cruelest, crudest treatment from those he came to save, and gave himself as a sacrifice for sin. This is he who is so holy that he dwells in everlasting fire so pure that it is described as unapproachable, yet is so humble and meek that he routinely appears without it. This is he who is so glorious that even the devils must bow the knee and acknowledge him. He is the source of Samson’s strength, Moses’ power, Elijah’s fire, Solomon’s wisdom, and Noah’s salvation. He can raise the dead, level armies, control the elements, and save souls. He is the Messiah. He is worthy. He is God. Reverence him.