Respect

           I have recently discovered that my computer has more respect for God than most people.  I was typing the name, "Jesus" and my finger slipped off and it was spelled with a small "J" instead of the capital "J".  Instantly, the red line appeared under the word.  It wasn't misspelled as all of the letters were there and in the right place.  I just left off the capital letter.  So, the computer knows the difference.  We have many people in the world today that have decided against showing respect for some things that should demand respect.  One of them is respect for the flag and the national anthem of the United States of America.  Respect for the flag and the national anthem is something that is sacred to me.  I was leaving a concert recently when the harmonica player, who was the best I have ever heard, began playing the National Anthem.  No comment was made and no introduction was given, but after the first three notes, I knew what it was and did an "about face" and stood at attention, with my right hand over my heart, facing the "Stars and Stripes."    It's common decency and respect for what it stands for.   Deuteronomy 10:20 says, " Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name." 
       Now, this is a step up from the national anthem.  People, everyone, should pay respect to the Creator of the Universe.  Sodom and Gomorrah are examples of people who didn't show respect and by the looks of things in the news today, we are not far behind.  Everyday, there are countless examples of people not only ignoring God but openly insulting Him by their curse words.  The also ignore Him in the open display of respect for humanity, even including those of their own family.  Babies are found in dumpsters. People are being violently killed including children.  Countries are killing certain ethnic groups in great numbers.  Yes, the world today shows a lack of "fear' or "reverence" to God Who created it all.  We may wonder how full His cup of wrath will get before judgment comes.  There is, however, hope and that hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ as we mentioned yesterday and so many other times, to simply believe in Him.  Lives and governments can be changed.  Repentance in Nineveh gave them another 100 years before judgment came.  Jonah's simple message got through even to the king.  How about you and the message that you have?  So, don't insult my country and certainly, don't insult my God.  God is too great for that.  The phrase "Fear the Lord" appears 30 times in the Bible.  That should give us the message of what He expects for us.  Praise God today in everything that you do that He might receive the reverence due Him.