Day 191: Psalm 146, 147, 148, 149 and 150

The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love (Psalm 147:11).

How do we measure success? In recent days we have mourned the passing of several highly regarded celebrities (and it doesn’t matter if we’re talking about the date I’m writing this or the date you’re reading this – fascination with the life and death of the rich and famous is a permanent fixture in our society). News of their accomplishments, awards and opulent lifestyles fill checkout aisle weeklies and TV gossip magazines. It seems clear that our culture has embraced the philosophy, He who dies with the most toys wins.

In America, success is measured by looks, prestige, bank accounts, sex appeal, credit scores, possessions, position, power, influence, fame, academic degrees, accomplishments and the like.

Who would have guessed God’s formula for measuring the same could be so simple? [He] delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

The next time you’re standing in the checkout aisle looking at the gossip rags (without being too obvious, of course), reading the headlines of the most recent celebrity passing, remember this: God’s definition of success has nothing to do with our typically shallow way of looking at life. Rather, real success is being written in the lives of people who honor God, and who put their faith and hope in him.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

Meditate on God’s formula for success. How does your life measure up?

Day 190: Psalm 141, 142, 143, 144 and 145

Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil (Psalm 141:4).

In The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), Jesus instructs his disciples to pray, Lead us not into temptation (v. 13). This is a confusing thing for us to be asked because we know God does not tempt us. When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed (James 1:13,14). Also, it is unrealistic to ask that we never be tempted, for everyone faces temptation.

New Testament scholars Douglas Hare and John Stott help us understand what this prayer is asking. Hare asserts that what we really mean is this: “Give us strength to resist temptation” [5]. And Stott says verse 13 might better be interpreted: “Do not allow us to be so led into temptation that it overwhelms us, but rescue us from the evil one” [6].

David knew we don’t need anyone to tempt us. As the title of Tyler Perry’s 2009 film states: I Can Do Bad All by Myself. We don’t need anyone’s help to get into trouble, but we sure need God’s help to stay out of trouble. It seems like David would agree.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

What temptation is enticing you this week? Pray through the Lord’s prayer (Matthew 6:9-13).

Day 189: Psalm 137, 138, 139 and 140

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there be any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (NIV 1984, Psalm 139:23,24).

The writer of Psalm 139 affirms his devotion to God and his enmity with those who scheme against God. It may be that he himself has been wrongfully accused, the focus of gossip and innuendo or even an illegitimate investigation.

First he explores God’s all encompassing presence. Where can I go that you cannot find me? Where can I run that you can’t get there first? (Author’s Paraphrase, v. 7). Then he reflects on the creative act and how well his Maker knows him. You know me better than I know myself.

Perhaps the gist of his prayer is this: God, you formed me; you’ve known me from the start. You’ve seen my actions and the motives behind them. You know the accusations against me. I need to know if I have any culpability in this situation. Search me, try me; see if there be any wicked way in me, so I can confess my sin to you and find the path to life everlasting.

David has full confidence that he is in the right, that no accusations are warranted. At the same time, he is willing to spread those complaints out before the Lord for the only verdict that matters.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

When’s the last time you asked God to shine his spotlight on the hidden places of your life? Pray honestly and slowly through Psalm 139:23,24. Realize that whatever God shows you is for your own good and because he loves you so much.

Day 188: Psalm 133, 134, 135 and 136

Group 1: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

Group 2: His love endures forever (Psalm 136:1).

The 136^th Psalm is a beautiful testimony to God’s provision and protection. He is regaled as Creator, Deliverer and Redeemer. He alone can and will save his people; and we need not fear being forgotten: He remembered us in our low estate (v. 23).

When, during the reign of Jeshoshaphat, Judah marched out against the combined armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mt. Seir (it amuses me that chapter 17 numbers Judah’s army at 1,160,000 men, but chapter 20 says they were attacked by a big army), the battle plan included singing praises to God. The choir, walking point, sang: Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever (2 Chronicles 20:21).

As they marched, they accessed their generational memory and rehearsed all the times throughout their history as a nation when their backs were up against the wall and God rescued them. Here they were again, in a seemingly no win situation, when their only hope was God riding to their deliverance. It was in facing a seemingly invincible enemy that the people of Judah needed to be reminded of God’s salvation. Psalm 136 may be the full text of their worship hymn.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

Are you facing a battle this week? How many times has God come through for you in the past? How scary could your enemy really be?

Day 187: Psalm 129, 130, 131 and 132

If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? (Psalm 130:3).

It’s no fun living under constant scrutiny, someone keeping score of every misstep and every time we break the rules. And yet many have the impression that the Christian life is exactly that, walking a tightrope between acceptance and rejection – with no net.

Who would want to live under condemnation for every bad choice ever made? Especially since no one could possibly pass such an examination. The psalmist is only saying what we’ve heard from many other biblical sources: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

Thankfully neither Paul, in his letter to the Romans, nor our psalm writer let it stop there.

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus (Romans 3:23,24).

The Prophet Micah put it like this: You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19).

If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness (Psalm 130:3,4).

And anyone who has experienced the reality of grace cannot possibly withhold grace from others.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

Thank our gracious God for his forgiveness. Ask him to show you if there’s anyone you need to let off the hook.

Day 186: Psalm 125, 126, 127 and 128

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore (Psalm 125:2).

This was one of Israel’s Songs of Ascent – Psalms 120 through 134 – fifteen psalms sung by worshipers making their way to the temple in Jerusalem. They may have been sung along the road during their pilgrimage, or as they were actually climbing the temple steps.

I live in Portland, Oregon in the Willamette Valley, one of the most fertile farming areas in the country. To the west I can see the Coast Range that separates us from the Pacific, and to the east rises Mt. Hood in the Cascades. While the ocean moderates our temperatures, the mountains protect our valley, giving it a long growing season and warmer climate than one might expect. And it doesn’t hurt that our glacial and volcanic soil is a half mile thick in places. From berries to hazelnuts to hops to grass seed to wines to nursery stock; it all thrives here.

Speaking of mountains, Jerusalem was built on a raised elevation (Zion sits at about 2,500 feet above sea level), but it is surrounded on all sides by low mountains, which afforded a great measure of protection from enemy attacks. The climb from Jericho to Jerusalem (about 23 miles) was over 3,000 feet. As pilgrims traveled by foot, ascending the incline to the spiritual and political capital of Judah, they would no doubt look around at the sheltering mountains, and this psalm would remind them, Just as these mountains surround and protect Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds and protects his people.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

Have you acknowledged God’s care and protection in your life this week? Do that now.

Day 185: Psalm 120, 121, 122, 123 and 124

What if the Lord had not been on our side? (GNT, Psalm 124:1).

What a powerful thought! How many times have I asked God (at least in my subconscious), Where were you when I needed you? It’s easy to assume that if things don’t go the way we want, then God must have abandoned us, or at least taken the afternoon off.

The truth is we only see what happened, not what could have happened. There’s no telling how often when things seemed bad, that we were only seeing the tip of the iceberg as far as how bad things could have been. What would we have suffered if God had not been on our side?

And to take it a step further, we don’t even see everything that did happen – we just see what we can see with our physical eyes. We have no idea what transpired behind the scenes in the spiritual realm on our behalf.

Please don’t think I’m being a the-glass-is-half-empty kind of guy. Oh, we could have been killed! That’s not it at all. (Actually, sometimes I am that kind of guy – I mean, who are we kidding?) But in this reflection, I’m not prophesying gloom and doom – just the opposite. All I’m saying is that God works in our behalf in ways we never see and most of us never think about.

We serve a great God who loves us and who is looking out for us.

The next time you wonder why God didn’t show up, ask instead: What if the Lord had not been on my side?

TODAY’S MEDITATION

Have you thanked God lately for the blessings you don’t know about? Imagine what your life would have been like if God weren’t on your side.

Day 184: Psalm 117, 118 and 119

It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees (Psalm 119:71).

Here we are graced with a profound and unexpected admission. In his suffering, the writer reaches out to his Maker and, in the process, learns God’s commands. The remarkable thing is that after everything is said and done, the writer acknowledges that suffering has actually turned out to be beneficial in his life. If I hadn’t suffered, I may not have learned your ways.

This is not in any way saying God causes our suffering. Though some would disagree, I do not believe God intentionally brings us harm for the purpose of making us better. I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you (Jeremiah 29:11). The Scriptures make it clear that life holds enough hurts without God adding any to the mix. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34). In this world you will have trouble (John 16:33).

What is true though is that if we bring those hurts to God, and submit to his Lordship, from even the worst days he will bring us good. In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

The next time suffering rears its ugly head, thank God that it doesn’t have to be for nothing.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

The sooner we learn, the sooner the teaching can stop. What is God teaching you this week?

Day 183: Psalm 113, 114, 115 and 116

Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him (Psalm 115:3).

This is one of my favorite psalms. My paraphrase: Our God is in heaven and he does whatever he wants. How cool is that!?

When we speak of God’s omnipotence, we sometimes get hung up on silly arguments: Can God create a rock so heavy he cannot lift it? Can God create a square circle? These are examples of nonsensical illogical debates that serve no purpose. The first is a Catch 22 kind of argument. If he can’t create such a rock, then he’s not omnipotent. And if he can create such a rock, but can’t lift it, then he’s not omnipotent. The second question involves a “logical self-contradiction” [3].

In The Problem of Pain, C. S. Lewis takes things even further. Alister McGrath cites Lewis as asserting that “God cannot do anything that is inconsistent with the divine nature” [4].

I’m so thankful that God can do what God wants to do, and what God wants to do is look on me with favor (Luke 2:14). I’m thankful that what God wants is to give me an abundant life (John 10:10). I’m thankful that God wants to have my back when I take a risk for him (2 Chronicles 16:9). I’m thankful that God wants to make me whole in spirit, soul and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23). I’m so thankful that what God wants is to prosper me and not to harm me, to give me hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

What is there that God cannot do to fulfill his purpose in your life?

TODAY’S MEDITATION

What are you believing God for?

Day 182: Psalm 109, 110, 111 and 112

My God, whom I praise, do not remain silent (Psalm 109:1).

This is the lament of a man betrayed. Lies, hatred, attacks, accusations, and double-crosses. And a desperate cry to God: Don’t you turn your back on me too!

He has been wronged; now he cries out for justice. Let an accuser [satan] stand at his right hand (v. 6). This man who is suffering wants his attacker to suffer too. David cries out for this man to suffer the death penalty in return for the lies he has told about him. May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow (v. 9). He has never had the opportunity to hear the teaching of Jesus: You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:43,44). As George Knight writes: “We can understand [his thirst for retribution], but we dare not approve” [1]. Technical obedience to the New Testament teaching: Do not take revenge (Romans 12:19), doesn’t give us permission to say, “Sic ‘em, God!”

In contrast to his plea for a satan to stand at his enemy’s right hand (the place of accusation) [2], we can know, even when God seems silent or distant, that he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save his life from those who condemn him (NIV 1984, v. 31). God stands by us not to accuse, but to provide encouraging words of love and support.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

Have you ever been falsely accused – or maybe it wasn’t false – by someone and thought God had forgotten you? Pray for grace to forgive your accusers without demanding God’s vengeance.

Day 181: Psalm 105, 106, 107 and 108

Many times he delivered them, but they were bent on rebellion (Psalm 106:43).

This is a perfect illustration of how we can receive great insight into the finished written product by defining the intended audience. Here are the events of the exodus portrayed for a much later audience, and for a very specific reason.

Notice in Psalms 105 and 106 how the exodus story is retold yet one more time. In Psalm 105 the writer recounts the incredible events of the exodus itself. Psalm 106 tells of Israel’s disobedience in both the wilderness and the Promised Land.

Why?

Could these psalms have been written to a nation in exile? Israel in Babylon? It is likely that the exodus story was a favorite of Jews relocated to the land of Persia. The exodus was a defining moment in the life of Israel. The exile would be another. It would have been a natural way for a disenfranchised people to remind themselves that their God had delivered them before, and that he would come through for them again.

Then Psalm 106 recounts Israel’s unfaithfulness. Could this perhaps be a warning to remember the lessons of the past once they were delivered from the Persians? The lesson: God freed our fathers from Egypt, but they soon forgot to be thankful. When God frees us from Babylon, let’s not make the same mistake.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

Have you ever said, “Oh that could never happen to me”? Put on humility and learn from the exiled Israelites.

Day 180: Psalm 101, 102, 103 and 104

If anyone secretly says things against his neighbor, I will stop him (NCV, Psalm 101:5).

Every single one of us has been hurt by people talking about us. But if we were honest, we’d also have to admit that we’ve all said things we shouldn’t, often about people who weren’t there to defend themselves.

The first step to vanquishing gossip is to keep our mouths shut. Our mothers were right: If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.

But what should we do when a gossip tries to engage us in conversation about someone else? It takes two to gossip: one to speak, and another to listen. There are things we shouldn’t say, but there are also things we shouldn’t listen to.

What if someone tried to gossip, but no one would participate?

When someone tries to engage you in gossip, try active non-participation. Say, “Excuse me; Bill’s my friend, and that’s not something I want to hear. You shouldn’t talk to anyone else about this either, but if it’s something you feel strongly about, talk to Bill – just between the two of you.” Of course, there’s always the ever popular option of responding with Plan B: “Hey, when I talk to Bill later today I’ll be telling him everything you said” [12].

I’d be really surprised if you need to have that conversation with someone more than once. Of course it won’t stop them from talking about you.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

Ask God to help you develop and implement a strategery to confront gossip.

Day 179: Psalm 97, 98, 99 and 100

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise (Psalm 100:4).

Did you know that worship is God’s address? But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel (KJV, Psalm 22:3). The New American Standard Bible reads: Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel. Either way, this passage confirms that God lives in the praises of his people. If God seems distant, praise him and he is there.

If God’s address isn’t good enough, today’s reading contains a map to his house – like an early Iron Age GPS: Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. No need to recalculate route here.

In Moses’ time, worshipers entered the tabernacle with a blood sacrifice. The bronze altar was directly in line between the entrance of the courtyard and the door to the Most Holy Place – God’s presence. There was no bypass, no detour.

Jesus became our once-and-for-all blood sacrifice – our access to God. Again, no bypass, no detour. It is through Christ that we offer our gifts of thanksgiving and praise. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess his name (Hebrews 13:15).

TODAY’S MEDITATION

When was the last time you experienced God’s presence? When you can’t find God, worship, because worship is where God is.

Day 178: Psalm 93, 94, 95 and 96

The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved (NIV 1984, Psalm 93:1).

Geocentrists interpret this verse and others to suggest that the earth is at the center of the universe and does not move – neither does it rotate on its axis, nor does it revolve around the sun.

Though I crinkle my forehead at their scientific conclusions, I applaud their high view of humanity as God’s creation. If mankind truly is God’s crowning creation, why wouldn’t the earth be at the universe’s center with the sun revolving around it? …at least figuratively.

In Carl Sagan’s 1997 film Contact, astronomer Dr. Eleanor Arroway (played by Jodie Foster) recalls a conversation with her father. “Do you think there’s alien life in the universe?” His reply: “If there’s not, that’s an awful waste of space.” He might think a diamond engagement ring is an awful waste of money too. Whether there’s other life in the universe or not, I don’t know; although I’ll go on record as saying I really don’t think so. I think the stars in the heavens are a beautiful bauble created by a loving bridegroom as a gift to his bride (that’s us).

While I don’t think the earth is at the center of the universe or that it remains solidly planted in space, never moving or spinning, I rejoice that we are the center of God’s universe. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son (John 3:16).

TODAY’S MEDITATION

How does it feel to be the center of God’s universe? How has God shown his love for you?

Day 177: Psalm 89, 90, 91 and 92

Lord, you have been our home (NCV, Psalm 90:1).

Sometimes when my wife Janelle and I think about the challenges of ministry, the most difficult thing is that we don’t have any place to call home. Ministry has taken us to Kansas, Tennessee, Maryland, Georgia, Pennsylvania and most recently Oregon where we look forward to being for a long time.

And I understand; it’s not just pastors. Everyone knows we live in an increasingly mobile society. Lots of people feel the lack of roots that comes from living here today and somewhere else tomorrow.

My wife’s family still lives in the Kansas City area. She has her mom, a brother and two sisters, their spouses, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles and cousins all within the metro area. If I were pushed, I guess I’d say that Kansas City feels more like home to us than anywhere else. But we left Kansas City almost thirty years ago.

That’s why we take comfort in this passage: Lord, you have been our home since the beginning. Before the mountains were born and before you created the earth and the world, you are God. You have always been, and you will always be (NCV, Psalm 90:1,2).

In an increasingly rootless society, no matter where we live, we can sink our roots down deep into Christ. How much stability can we have if our foundation is location, career or people? Everything changes… everything that is, except for God. That’s why God is our home.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

Where’s your home? What does it mean to say God is your home?

Day 176: Psalm 85, 86, 87 and 88

Great is your love toward me (Psalm 86:13).

Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me (NIV 1984, vv. 11-13).

The Apostle Paul reminds us that it is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). John writes: We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). Nothing but love will produce lasting change in the heart. Cash payments won’t do it. Keeping a list of rules and regulations won’t do it. Threats of eternal damnation won’t do it.

The psalmist asks God to teach him his way that he might walk in obedience – not out of obligation, not from hope of reward, and not out of fear – but out of the dawning realization of God’s love for him. Give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name. Translation: Give me perfect love for you that I may give you the respect and obedience your name deserves. Why? Because great is your love for me.

Only love begets love. And we don’t initiate it; God does. God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

What wondrous love is this!

TODAY’S MEDITATION

How have you experienced God’s wondrous love this week?

Day 175: Psalm 81, 82, 83 and 84

I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket . . . But my people would not listen to me (Psalm 81:6,11).

This is a sad psalm where the writer voices the sentiments of Yahweh. These few verses thumbnail the entire Israeli experience: slavery, exodus, wilderness, choice, failure, consequence. In the days before their river crossing into Canaan, Moses gave his farewell address, admonishing the people to choose wisely. Their choice could be summarized as: Choose Yahweh or choose the gods of Canaan.

On the game show Let’s Make a Deal (NBC/ABC 1963-1976 – not to mention its current incarnation on CBS with Wayne Brady), host Monty Hall tempted contestants to trade the prize in their hands for an unknown prize behind Door #3. Once they made their deal, the door was opened and the result of their choice was displayed for all to see.

Likewise, time after time the Israelites rejected the prize they had (Yahweh), trying to trade up by choosing Door #3 (foreign gods).

Although they made a big show of affirming their fidelity to Yahweh, in reality, at almost every turn they went the wrong way and followed false gods. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts (v. 12). In other words: You get to choose, but you have to live with the consequences.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

Have you ever been warned about the consequences of making a wrong choice, and made the wrong choice anyway? What did you learn?

Day 174: Psalm 77, 78, 79 and 80

I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago (Psalm 77:11).

Here we have the prayer of a man struggling with faith. He wants to hold on in trust, but pain and doubt chip away at his confidence, and he wonders if God will ever deliver him. When the heavens appear silent and no relief is in sight, he launches a faith resuscitation effort. I will remember the deeds of the Lord . . . I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds (vv.11,12).

Nothing bolsters faith like rehearsing all the times God came through for us in the past. And the writer doesn’t limit his recall to events in his own lifetime; he engages his generational memory and takes it back all the way to Israel in Egypt: Your path led through the sea… (v. 19).

When you’re struggling with doubt, take a walk down memory lane. Relive the times you saw no way out, yet hung on to find God faithful. Recall stories from your childhood, told by parents and grandparents, and other older saints who could also testify to God’s mercy and grace. Read the Bible: When I am afraid, I will trust in you (NIV 1984, Psalm 56:3).

The same God who has answered prayer since the beginning of time is answering prayer still. He hasn’t run out of mercy. There’s a new supply of compassion and faithfulness to meet every sunrise (Lamentations 3:22,23).

TODAY’S MEDITATION

Recall a time God came through for you. What do you need today?

Day 173: Psalm 73, 74, 75 and 76

Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them! (Psalm 74:11).

This psalm was likely written in the confused time after the destruction of Jerusalem by the armies of Babylon. They smashed all the carved paneling . . . they burned your sanctuary to the ground (vv.6,7). The psalmist asks the question of God: What’s it going to take to get your attention? If the destruction of your temple doesn’t wake you from your slumber, what will?

There are times we get to the end of our rope, thinking, God has got to do something now, only to be met with silence. It feels like we are completely alone. Sometimes the rope breaks and we still don’t hear from God. What’s with that?

We just plod along, forcing ourselves to place one foot in front of the other, until finally we’ve reached a safe place. And then somehow we recognize that God has been with us all along. Even when it seemed we had been abandoned, God was doing his very best work on our behalf.

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:9).

One of the hardest things in the world is trusting God when we don’t understand what he’s up to.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

Have you ever given up on God, only to find he was there all the time? Are you waiting for him now? Ask for patience and for trust. Chin up.

Day 172: Psalm 69, 70, 71 and 72

The desert tribes will bow before him. . . . All kings will bow down to him (NIV 1984, Psalm 72:9,11).

This psalm was possibly written for Solomon’s coronation and then used in future coronation celebrations. It blesses the king’s reign with majesty, longevity, power and justice. Some scholars have asserted that the exaggerated language reflects expectations of a messianic king [11].

The desert tribes will bow before him. . . . All kings will bow down to him. Even though separated by verse ten, this is almost certainly a case of parallelism, an ancient literary device used in Hebrew poetry, which compares or contrasts two thoughts.

In this case the contrast clarifies a truth. In the first line, the word translated as bow is the Hebrew kara (kaw RAH). In the second line the word is shachach (shaw KAWH). The words carry two different connotations. Shachach implies the kings of the earth bow out of reverence and respect. This is the word used for bowing in worship. Kara is the word one would use to describe a defeated foe bowing with his conqueror’s boot on his neck – gritting his teeth, but bowing just the same. No reverence, respect or worship there.

God exalted him to the highest place . . . that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow (Philippians 2:9,10).

TODAY’S MEDITATION

When you bow, is it prompted by a spirit of worship or defeat? What’s the difference?