A Position to Be In

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 44

And I fell on my face. (Ezekiel 44.4)

Devotional Thought: We were walking away from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, having just watched the Panthers lose another football game.  My friend suddenly disappeared from my peripheral vision.  I turned and saw him face-down on the pavement.  The first thing that popped into my mind was, "Man, he looks feeble!"  The irony of it is that he was bigger and stronger than me. It's funny how falling makes you look weak and vulnerable.  (Maybe that's why cats try to act so nonchalant when they fall!)  The good news is that my friend was uninjured - except for his pride.

When "the glory of the Lord filled the temple of the Lord," Ezekiel wrote that he fell on his face.  What would cause such a reaction?

·       Hopelessness: "The kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful ... hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne" (Revelation 6.15-16).  This is not a position to be in.

·       Humility:  When God revealed his glory to Isaiah, he said, "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips" (Isaiah 6.5).  This is a position to be in.  For when we are humble before the Lord, he gives us...

·       Honor:  Jesus taught his disciples that those who take the lowest seat will be honored by the master of the ceremony.  "Friend, move up higher... for he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 14.10-11). That also is a position to be in!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for revealing your glory to Ezekiel, to Isaiah, to your disciples, and to me.  Help me not to grow proud, but rather to remain humble and allow you to honor me if that is your good pleasure.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 59.1-9

1  Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me;

2 deliver me from those who work evil, and save me from bloodthirsty men.

3 For behold, they lie in wait for my life; fierce men stir up strife against me. For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord,

4 for no fault of mine, they run and make ready. Awake, come to meet me, and see!

5 You, Lord God of hosts, are God of Israel. Rouse yourself to punish all the nations; spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah

6 Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city.

7 There they are, bellowing with their mouths with swords in their lips—for “Who, ” they think, “will hear us? ”

8 But you, O Lord, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision.

9 O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress.