--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The universe shudders in horror that we…" description: "\"The universe shudders in horror that we have this infinitely valuable, infinitely deep, infinitely rich, infinitely wise, infinitely loving God, and in..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e59/matt-chandler-2213_benefits_the-universe-shudders-in-horror-that-we_86801.jpg" --- # The universe shudders in horror that we have this… ![“The universe shudders in horror that we have this infinitely valuable, infinitely deep, infinitely rich, infinitely wise, infinitely loving God, and instead of pursuing him with steadfast passion and enthralled fury — instead of loving him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; instead of…” quote by Matt Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e59/matt-chandler-2213_benefits_the-universe-shudders-in-horror-that-we_86801.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e59/matt-chandler-2213_benefits_the-universe-shudders-in-horror-that-we_86801.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e59/matt-chandler-2213_benefits_the-universe-shudders-in-horror-that-we_86801.jpg) > “The universe shudders in horror that we have this infinitely valuable, infinitely deep, infinitely rich, infinitely wise, infinitely loving God, and instead of pursuing him with steadfast passion and enthralled fury — instead of loving him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; instead of attributing to him glory and honor and praise and power and wisdom and strength — we just try to take his toys and run. It is still idolatry to want God for his benefits but not for himself.” [Matt Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-chandler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Treating God as a means for personal gain reduces the divine to a commodity, which is a form of idolatry even when intentions are sincere. **In simple terms:** Using God for benefits is idolatry. Key Takeaway True worship honors God, not personal advantage. Themes theology idolatry spirituality ethics Mood reflective serious Type theological motivational When to use this quote - prosperity gospel preaching - materialistic religious practices - faith‑based philanthropy misaligned with intent Key Concepts anthropocentrism religious motivation Practical Applications - faith formation emphasizing relational worship - ethical guidelines for religious leadership Questions to Reflect On - Where is the line between seeking divine help and exploiting God? - How can believers balance gratitude with humility? A Different Perspective Some argue that seeking blessings is a legitimate expression of faith, not necessarily idolatry. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fury/) [Glory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/glory/) [Glory and honor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/glory-and-honor/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Honor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honor/) [Horror](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/horror/) [Idolatry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idolatry/) [Loving god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loving-god/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) [Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Steadfast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steadfast/) [Toys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/toys/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) ## Related quotes > [We are surrounded by God’s benefits. The best use of these benefits is an unceasing expression of gratitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/we-are-surrounded-by-god-s-benefits-the-best-use-of-these-benefits-is/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [In prosperity, give thanks to God with humility and fear lest by pride you abuse God's benefits and so offend him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-ix-of-france/in-prosperity-give-thanks-to-god-with-humility-and-fear-lest-by-pride/) Louis IX of France > [Grace means the free, unmerited, unexpected love of God, and all the benefits, delights, and comforts which flow from it. It means that while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-hanson/grace-means-the-free-unmerited-unexpected-love-of-god-and-all-the/) Richard Hanson > [We can experience joy in adverse circumstances by holding God's benefits in such esteem that the recognition of them and meditation upon them shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/we-can-experience-joy-in-adverse-circumstances-by-holding-god-s/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [We should spend as much time in thanking God for his benefits as we do in asking him for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/we-should-spend-as-much-time-in-thanking-god-for-his-benefits-as-we/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [Abstract words such as glory, honor, courage, or hallow were obscene beside the concrete names of villages, the numbers of roads, the names of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/abstract-words-such-as-glory-honor-courage-or-hallow-were-obscene/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [And I envied her that she had chosen her work herself and was doing what she wanted to do. I don't suppose I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-wein/and-i-envied-her-that-she-had-chosen-her-work-herself-and-was-doing/) [Elizabeth Wein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-wein/) > [God never promised that we wouldn’t have challenges. In fact, He said just the opposite. His word says, ‘Be truly glad!...these trials are only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/god-never-promised-that-we-wouldn-t-have-challenges-in-fact-he-said/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [Self-righteousness exclaims, "I will not be saved in God's way; I will make a new road to heaven; I will not bow before God's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/self-righteousness-exclaims-i-will-not-be-saved-in-god-s-way-i-will/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [So this estate is given each of us to determine whether or not we will merit glory and honor "for ever and ever," or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elray-l-christiansen/so-this-estate-is-given-each-of-us-to-determine-whether-or-not-we/) [ElRay L. Christiansen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elray-l-christiansen/) > [Have you ever thought of yourself as a junior angel crowned with glory and honor? Every one of our Father in Heaven's children is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-tom-perry/have-you-ever-thought-of-yourself-as-a-junior-angel-crowned-with/) [L. Tom Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-tom-perry/) > [ \[God\] is waiting and anxious to pour out blessings, and glory, and honor, and exaltation upon his people, far more than we have ever… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erastus-snow/god-is-waiting-and-anxious-to-pour-out-blessings-and-glory-and-honor/) Erastus Snow > [Christ sits in the body at the right hand of God the Father, but we do not hold that the right hand of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-damascus/christ-sits-in-the-body-at-the-right-hand-of-god-the-father-but-we-do/) [John of Damascus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-damascus/) > [And in any preaching you do, admonish the people concerning repentance, and that nobody can be saved except he who receives the most holy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-of-assisi/and-in-any-preaching-you-do-admonish-the-people-concerning-repentance/) [Francis of Assisi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-of-assisi/) > [I don't know why I keep on loving you despite the fact that I'll get hurt again.just like before.I never learn cause I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nix/i-don-t-know-why-i-keep-on-loving-you-despite-the-fact-that-i-ll-get/) [Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nix/) ## More by Matt Chandler > [Engaging the city around us and ministering to its needs reveal to us the remaining bastions of sin in our lives, the areas we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-chandler/engaging-the-city-around-us-and-ministering-to-its-needs-reveal-to-us/) [Matt Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-chandler/) > [You and I are stymied in our own creativity. We can only create as sub-creators, and even then our best work is only sub-creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-chandler/you-and-i-are-stymied-in-our-own-creativity-we-can-only-create-as-sub/) [Matt Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-chandler/) > [So what does it look like to live a life worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ? It looks like walking with, loving with,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-chandler/so-what-does-it-look-like-to-live-a-life-worthy-of-the-gospel-of/) [Matt Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-chandler/) > [“A schoolmate of Matt Chandler's with the locker next to his: "I need to tell you about Jesus. When do you want to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-chandler/a-schoolmate-of-matt-chandler-s-with-the-locker-next-to-his-i-need-to/) [Matt Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-chandler/) > [The cross of Christ is the response of God to men for belittling His name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-chandler/the-cross-of-christ-is-the-response-of-god-to-men-for-belittling-his/) [Matt Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-chandler/) > [Heaven is not a place for those who are afraid of hell; it’s a place for those who love God. You can scare people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-chandler/heaven-is-not-a-place-for-those-who-are-afraid-of-hell-it-s-a-place/) [Matt Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-chandler/) > [If you're not confident in the authority of the Scriptures, you will be a slave to what sounds right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-chandler/if-you-re-not-confident-in-the-authority-of-the-scriptures-you-will/) [Matt Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-chandler/) > [Lots of neat Christian boys, not a lot of Godly men. And we are working our tails off for you to try to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-chandler/lots-of-neat-christian-boys-not-a-lot-of-godly-men-and-we-are-working/) [Matt Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-chandler/) > [“But isn’t the whole idea of sanctification the fact that we’re not really there yet? That we’re still growing and becoming? Still learning how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-chandler/but-isn-t-the-whole-idea-of-sanctification-the-fact-that-we-re-not/) [Matt Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-chandler/) > [This avoidance of the difficult things of Scripture — of sinfulness and hell and God’s notable severity — is idolatrous and cowardly. If a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-chandler/this-avoidance-of-the-difficult-things-of-scripture-of-sinfulness-and/) [Matt Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-chandler/) > [Grace does not make sin safe. But grace does make sinners safe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-chandler/grace-does-not-make-sin-safe-but-grace-does-make-sinners-safe/) [Matt Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-chandler/) > [“But either way, the fruit of turning to God—before we sin, after we’ve sinned, even right there in the middle of our sin—is where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-chandler/but-either-way-the-fruit-of-turning-to-god-before-we-sin-after-we-ve/) [Matt Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-chandler/) > [The great message that we call the gospel begins, then, not with us, or our need, or even the meeting of that need, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-chandler/the-great-message-that-we-call-the-gospel-begins-then-not-with-us-or/) [Matt Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-chandler/) > [Worship is the way of life for those entranced by and passionate for the glory of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-chandler/worship-is-the-way-of-life-for-those-entranced-by-and-passionate-for/) [Matt Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-chandler/) > [The Imperfect Pastor by Zack Eswine might be the most helpful and profound book I've read in years. If you're in pastoral ministry grab…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-chandler/the-imperfect-pastor-by-zack-eswine-might-be-the-most-helpful-and/) [Matt Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-chandler/) [Explore all 179 Matt Chandler quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-chandler/) ## More Benefits quotes > [If the members of parliament no longer consider themselves mandatories of the taxpayers but deputies of those receiving salaries, wages, subsidies, doles, and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/if-the-members-of-parliament-no-longer-consider-themselves/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [ \[The Dalai Lama\] told me some years ago, "I've made every concession to China, and I've been as open and tolerant as I could,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pico-iyer/the-dalai-lama-told-me-some-years-ago-i-ve-made-every-concession-to/) [Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pico-iyer/) > [Anger is a rough water; if you can canalize it into a water mill, you can benefit from it. Anything bad can be transformed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/anger-is-a-rough-water-if-you-can-canalize-it-into-a-water-mill-you/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Shortly after I turned 50, both Ted Turner and the AARP came into my life. The only difference? With AARP, there were benefits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-fonda/shortly-after-i-turned-50-both-ted-turner-and-the-aarp-came-into-my/) [Jane Fonda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-fonda/) > [That old man dies prematurely whose memory records no benefits conferred. They only have lived long who have lived virtuously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brinsley-sheridan/that-old-man-dies-prematurely-whose-memory-records-no-benefits/) [Richard Brinsley Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brinsley-sheridan/) > [Politics is about power. It is about the power of the state. 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