To Stand in Awe — Expecting the God Who can…

By Pastor Kobus Massyn

Sunday 04-01-2026

God still invites His people into moments of holy awe — and those moments mark transformation, intimacy, and calling.

 

What Does It Mean to Stand in Awe?

God isn’t distant — He invites us into moments where we see the holy and we stand in awe of Him.

 

Definition of Awe:

Awe = reverence + wonder + fear of the Lord.

It’s not terror without love, but holy awethat draws us closer.

 

Theme Scripture:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” — Psalm 111:10

holy fear isn’t negative; it opens the door to intimacy, wisdom, and transformation. (John Bevere “in Awe”)

 

Why can we stand in awe?

 

Psalms 139:17-18

“How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! [Ps 40:5] If I could count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.”

 

1 Corinthians 15:19

“If we who are [abiding] in Christ have hoped only in this life [and this is all there is], then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied. “

 

Romans 8:11

'And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you. '

 

How do we see when People are in Awe?

 

Pattern #1 — Awe Moves People to Worship and Submission

 

Moses at the Burning Bush

 

Exodus 3:1–6 (AMP)

“Then Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.” (v.6)

 

He hid his face because he was afraid to look at God.

Moses didn’t just see God — he realized his own smallness and God’s holiness. This set him up for obedience.

When we stand in Awe, it reorients our hearts from self-focus to God-focus.

 

Pattern #2 — Awe Happens When God’s Presence Is Manifested

 

Israel at Sinai

 

Exodus 19:16–19; 20:18–20 (AMP)

 

“All the people trembled and stood at a distance.” (20:18)

 

“Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and so that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you will not sin.” (20:20)

When God came down with thunder, smoke, and fire, the people stood at a distance.

They didn’t rush in — they feared, they respected, they listened.

When we stand in Awe, it creates reverent distance and godly fear, not casual familiarity.

 

Pattern #3 — Awe Creates Confession and Repentance

 

Isaiah 6:1–5 (AMP)

“Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips…” (v.5)

“The foundations of the thresholds trembled…” (v.4)

 

Isaiah’s Vision

“I am lost… a man of unclean lips.”

Encountering God’s holiness unveiled sin and invited confession.

Awe reveals reality — who God is and who we are.

Pattern #4 — Awe Prepares People for Mission

 

Peter at the Miraculous Catch

 

Luke 5:8–11 (AMP)

“Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” (v.8)

 

“From now on you will be catching men.” (v.10)

Peter doesn’t first ask why — he confesses who Jesus is.

His awe leads to “depart from me” and “follow me.”

When we stand in awe, it always leads people toward purpose.

 

Pattern #5 — Awe Brings Joy and Transformation

 

The Resurrection Encounter

 

Matthew 28:8 (AMP)

“They left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy.”

 

The women were afraid and full of joy.

They didn’t collapse in uncertainty — they ran to share the news.

When we stand in Awe, we are not paralyzed — it propels us.

 

Awe is Holy Fear and Holy Fear Is a Gift

Holy fear is not being scared of Godbut being terrified of being away from Him and sin.

It draws believers into intimacyand strengthens faith to endure.

 

“…a consuming fire.” — Hebrews 12:29

The awe of God is not cold distance but consuming presence.

 

Expecting “Awe” moments.

 

How Do We Prepare for Awe?

Hunger for His presence

Pray Scripture like Psalm 42: “As the deer pants for water…”

Practice reverence

Slow down in worship, confession, prayer.

Make space for God’s presence

Spiritual awe often shows up where sin is confessed and hearts are soft.

Anticipate God to move

God is not hiding — He is revealing Himself to those who seek Him with reverence.