Every Knee Will Bow

“Every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess allegiance to me.” Isaiah 45:23b

For the Scriptures say, "'As surely as I live,' says the LORD, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will confess and give praise to God.'" Romans 14:11

At the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10,11

Recently, I read an article of a public figure, an atheist, who was asked what he would do if when he died, discovered that God actually exists. He boldly and arrogantly proclaimed that he would stand in front of God and yell at Him and ask Him about war and poverty and childhood cancer, etc…  

Now, I could see how someone who doesn’t know the God of the Bible, who lovingly created human beings and then sent his son to die for them after they turned their backs on Him, could have difficulty with these issues. Sometimes, I do too. I understand that all evil exists because of the fall of man through sin, but it doesn’t make it easier to see pain and suffering of the innocent.  But the LORD tells us in Isaiah 45:18 that “He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty chaos.” Man, by disobeying God and listening to Satan, made and still makes the world a place of empty chaos.  “Sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” Romans 5:12

However, God is still God. No matter what we think about anything, God is still God.  I have news for this atheist. There is most definitely a God, One True God. No one will be standing in His Holy presence yelling at Him.  No one. The Bible says that, “Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is God.”   Isaiah 45:24 goes on to say that “all who were angry with God will come to Him and be ashamed.”

I grow weary of the arrogance of man. Sometimes I wonder why God doesn’t just shut them up as they speak. But God is a God of patience and mercy. “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9  Still, God is a Holy God and will one day judge the world and do away with wickedness and oppression. Revelation 20, 21

One thing is sure, we will not stand defiantly in the presence of God. Just like Isaiah was sorely ashamed of his sin when he saw God in His holy temple, just like Ezekiel fell on his face before God in his vision and just like John fainted at seeing King Jesus in all His glory, so shall we fall on our faces when we come face to face with God Almighty.

Don't Be a Tool

I have noticed something about marriages today that troubles me.  There seems to be a trend among married men or women who decide they no longer want to be married.  I have seen wives (mostly), some husbands and all the children involved, torn apart because one spouse thinks he or she wants something, usually someone, different. 

The excuse I have heard repeatedly, before the real reason comes out (usually another person) is they are no longer happy.  When did that become a reason to nullify your wedding vows? What a flimsy excuse!  We all have to work through things sometimes that we aren’t necessarily happy about. Marriage has highs and lows. Marriage takes work!  If you are unhappy, you work it out. You get counseling. You refocus your priorities. You stop thinking that there is something better out there, and pray about how you can make things better in your marriage. Even if it isn’t the actual reason, what makes a person think it even could be?

Equally disturbing, I have noticed when the truth comes out that the departing spouse has actually been seeing another person, there seems to be no repercussions.  The two people seem to flaunt what they have done.  Even Christians who have sinned and broken up their marriages seem to see no reason to repent. They often go right on serving in their positions, right on smiling while the offended spouse is left picking up the pieces, devastated and broken-hearted. While their children deal with a broken family, wondering what they’ve done wrong, insecure and traumatized.

Do I think they should hang their head in shame? Well, yes they should feel shame for their sin. They should feel sorrow for the hurt they have caused the people they promised to love.  Yes, the Bible teaches that God forgives when we repent. I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  But what I have seen is the lack of conviction that the offending party even needs to repent.  The idea that infidelity and leaving their family is no big deal and everyone should just move on is preposterous.  Not only does the person need to repent to God (Acts 2:38, Luke 13:3 among others), he/she needs to repent to the spouse and children they have sinned against (Matt.5:23-24, James 5:16).

It’s time that we start putting our family before our own feelings. The world has this idea that we should put ourselves, our own desires and our own happiness, first.  That is contrary to what the Bible teaches.  Romans 12:2 says, “Honor one another above yourself.”  1 Corinthians 13:5 “Love does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking…” Philippians 2:3-4 “Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should treat one another as more important than yourself.  Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interest, but about the interest of others as well.”  

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) The devil wants to destroy marriages. Don’t let him destroy yours. Don’t be his instrument of destruction. Fight for your marriage. Protect your family. Breaking the hearts of people you care about for the sake of your own selfish desires is wrong. Plain and simple.

The Breath We Breathe

“It’s Your breath in our lungs, so we pour out our praise, pour out our praise, to You only.”

Have you ever thought about the fact that the breath we breathe came from God himself? When Adam was formed, God breathed life into Him. (Gen  2:7) The very breath of God brought Adam to life.  As the father of all mankind, it stands to reason that the breath in our lungs is not only a gift from God, it is the breath of God.  Wow, that’s deep! 

When we consider this, it should change the way we use our breath. We should use it to praise God, to glorify Him, to speak of His goodness. We should use it to edify and encourage others. (1 Thessalonians 5:11) James 3:9,10 says, "With it (the tongue) we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so."

When we think about how special our own breath is, we should want to use it in ways that glorify God and lead people to him. Gossip, slander, belittling, criticism, complaining, lying… these are not how God would have us use the very breath of life that he gave us.  This chorus in the song, “Great Are You Lord,” has made me more aware of the way I use my breath.  I want to use the air in my lungs to praise God and honor Him.  How will you use the breath He has given you?

Into His Arms

“God I run into your arms; unashamed because of mercy.” 

The song, “Overwhelmed” by Big Daddy Weave has this line in its chorus that nearly makes me choke up every time I sing it. “God I run into your arms, unashamed because of mercy.” Much of the song talks about God’s awesome power and how overwhelming He is to our finite minds.  Such an amazing thought to know that although He is so great, powerful and holy, we can run to Him and feel His loving embrace.

When I read books or listen to music, the words and lyrics turn into pictures in my mind. What I see when I sing this line is a little girl running into the open arms of her daddy. She knows he loves her no matter what. The sun is shining bright and his smile is warm and inviting. His love for his daughter is unmistakable.  As she reaches him, his strong arms wrap around her and engulf her. He picks her up and holds her. His embrace makes her feel safe and loved.  All is well with the world.

What an amazing picture of our heavenly father who waits for us to run into his open arms. I realize there are many people who don’t have warm memories of their earthly fathers, but God can fill that void. He is a good, good father.  Just as the prodigal son returned home and his father embraced him, pig stink and all because of his love and mercy for his son, God’s mercies are new every morning and we can run to him for forgiveness and restoration.

Not only does God want us to run to Him for mercy and forgiveness but for peace and comfort. Just as a child runs to her father when she is afraid or as his daughter, now a young lady, weeps on his shoulder for acceptance and comfort, God wants to calm our fears and heal our hurts. He is all we need.

Be overwhelmed by your heavenly father. Run to Him and allow his love and mercy, peace and forgiveness to surround you and envelop you.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8