Ezekiel 1:28
"As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain,
so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance
of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon
my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake."
God’s holiness is entirely humbling! The glory of the Lord appeared with
such intensity that Ezekiel fell facedown, overwhelmed by the contrast
between God’s holiness and his own sinfulness and insignificance. Consider
the sentiments that would move a person to lie prostrate on the ground…
Are you familiar with any of them? Eventually every person will fall before
God, either out of reverence and awe for His mercy or out of fear of His
judgment. Based on the way you are living today, dear lady, how do you
respond to God’s holiness?
Philip. 2:10-11
“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven,
and things in earth, and things under the earth; [11] And that every tongue
should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
God’s holiness is entirely convincing! At the last judgment, even those
who are condemned will recognize Jesus’ power and right to rule. Yes,
every knee should bow, but not every knee does… What is your typical stance
toward the authority of Christ? Do you bend in eager response to the things
that the Lord expects of you on a daily basis? On the other hand, do you
go through each day carrying yourself in a stiff-necked fashion? Are you
so wrapped up in your own name that you have forgotten how to submit to
His?? As wives, I highly doubt we will bend to our husband’s wishes if
we aren’t even willing to bend to the Lord God… As Christians, there should
be a clear demonstration of humility in our lives. Don’t leave others
wondering whether or not you bow before God – make them certain of it!
Exodus 34:8
And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.
As we bow our heads in reverence toward the Lord, we do our hearts much
good! To bow before God is to lift up your soul unto Him… May we all make
haste as Moses did to commune eagerly and respectfully with the Lord.
Is there like approach as you relate to your Master?
Matthew 27:29
And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head,
and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and
mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
Many of us shudder to think of the rude and assaulting way the Lord was
treated. Yet, the self-centered way we live as Christians is just as much
a mockery and offense to our God! We say we are saved while continuing
on each day carrying out our own will rather than His. Oh sure, we go
through the motions of bowing our knee to the Savior and calling Him King,
but it’s how we live when we get up that speaks loud and clear! You see,
ladies, our actions reveal our understanding of who Jesus really is...
Just as these folks did, God’s people still neglect to truly value the
One who was willing to die for them. We pay our Savior nothing more than
mock homage! In what ways might your life mock the Lord today? Does your
testimony as a Christian bring any ridicule upon the name of the Lord?
I say it’s time we evaluated our lives to see how great is our awareness
of the holiness of the Lord and then saw to it that we responded in a
manner fit for a King!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2002 Pamela A. Iannello
