ACKNOWLEDGING THE KING
Erin Kranz
Today's Scripture: “‘Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.’” Matthew 7:21, ESV
Theme: God is Master of our actions, not only our words.
BOWING DOWN
This week we’ve been reading how God’s Name, “Adonai,” shows us His status as the true Lord and Master. Today’s verse reminds us that, if God is really our Master, our actions must reflect our obedience to Him. We can’t just acknowledge God with our words or show up on Sundays and pretend to check a box – we actually have to bow a knee to Him.
Throughout history, the practice of bowing down to a king has been a sign of respect and submission and was often required when entering the king’s presence. We see this in the Bible in several instances as well. In the story of Esther, Mordecai refused to bow down to the king’s officer, Haman, which enraged Haman to the point that he tried to annihilate the entire Jewish race (Esther 3). When King Nebuchadnezzar built a golden statue of himself, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to bow down to it (Daniel 3). It was not enough to just superficially confess the king’s rank with words; action was required to follow.
A LOVING KING
The good news is that we are not being asked to follow a king who cares only for himself or expanding his kingdom; we are invited to follow the King who loves us enough to sacrifice everything for us. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,’” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV). God has good plans for us and for the world that He wants us to be a part of. It’s up to us if we choose to walk in obedience to Him and His calling.
Make It Personal: Do you believe that God is a good God, worthy of His Name, Adonai? What action have you been neglecting to take to acknowledge God as your Lord and Master? Join me in the practice of bowing down daily and allowing Him to guide you in the journey of doing His will and to a life that is pleasing to Him.
Pray: Lord, help me to remember Your Name throughout my day. You alone are Master and Lord, Adonai. Help me to obey Your commands. “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” (Psalm 90:17, ESV). In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read: John 14:5, Luke 11:28, James 1:22, John 14:21
Weekly Memory Verse: “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.” Psalm 8:1, ESV