“Godliness”: A genuine reverence toward God that governs one’s attitude toward every aspect of life.

To show reverence means to show deep respect and honor to God.  It is accompanied by a humble attitude and genuine worship.  For example, when God appeared to Abram and talked to him, Abram fell face down (Gen 17:1-4).

Exodus 3:5-6:
Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.

God commanded Moses to take off his shoes because he was standing on holy ground.  Moses obeyed and covered his face.  God is our friend, but He is also our sovereign Lord.  To approach Him casually shows a lack of respect and sincerity.  When you come to God in worship, do you approach God casually or as though you are an invited guest before a king?  Remember Lord Jesus’ parable in which he said, “But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?’ And the man was speechless” (Mt 22:11, 12). We must have the right attitude when approaching the Holy God.

Exodus 20:18, 20:
Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.”

“His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.”  At mountain Sinai, the awesome display of lighting and thundering was to show Israel God’s great power and authority. God wasn’t trying to scare the people. He was showing His mighty power so the Israelites would know he was the true God and would therefore obey Him.

“Fear of the Lord”: A loving reverence for God that includes submission to his lordship and to the commands of his word.

To fear the Lord is to recognize Him for who He is: holy, almighty, righteous, pure, all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-wise. When we recognize God for who He is and who we are (sinful, weak, and needy), then we will ask God to guide us. Psalm 25:12 reads, “Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.”

How can our prayer reach God?  Be a godly person.  Psalm 4:3 says, “But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; the Lord will hear when I call to Him.”