Genesis 42:18 English Standard Version (ESV) On the third day Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God:”

At this point in Joseph’s life he was second only to Pharaoh in Egypt. The fear spoken of here to his brothers was one of reverence. He revered God in all that God had done in his life from the moment his brothers sold him into bondage to this moment when he met them again.

Having respect is one thing, having reverence goes one step further. Respect is a matter of speech, reverence is a matter of living by faith. There is a difference between how we speak and how we live.

When we look at the life of Joseph we will discover that the Lord blessed him over and over again because Joseph held his tongue. He showed respect in his speech to men that only understood respect. They had no reverence for God, but Joseph revered God and he was wise in his speech.

Romans 13:7 English Standard Version (ESV) Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Reverence is not included in this list of what is due men because it is owed to God and God alone.

So how do we show reverence to our God?

Romans 13:14 English Standard Version (ESV) But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Actions speak louder than words.

Isaiah 61:8 English Standard Version (ESV) For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong;^{[robbering with a burnt offerings]} I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

This is just one line of scripture from Isaiah 61. In it are the actions of the One who would come and make that everlasting covenant.