Want to know where wisdom begins? It starts with reverencing, honoring, and respecting God (see Proverbs 9:10). Exalting God is not only the basis of wisdom, but of worship. Worship is an outward expression of your inner reverence for God's character.
A great example of exalting God is found in Moses' song, which he sang after God defeated Pharaoh's army at the Red Sea (Exodus 15:2):
The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father's God, and I will exalt Him.
When you exalt God, feelings of exaltation follow; even if you come into worship feeling empty, you shouldn't leave that way. When you focus on God, you get Spiritually full!
Today's word to describe God is "Exalted."
Devotion
At the beginning of the Model Prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus begins with exalting God the Father. In fact, over half of the prayer is devoted to honoring God - His dwelling place, His name, perfect will, kingdom, power, and glory.
It is only after exalting God in prayer that provision, forgiveness, guidance, and protection is requested. Like in wisdom and worship, prayer is our opportunity to be where God is Spiritually, to see His higher perspective on life. Through the prophet Isaiah, God says: "For 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)."
I once heard this example of how God's view differs from ours: Imagine a holiday parade. You are sitting on the curbside, watching a steady procession of marching bands, floats, and balloons. You can only see one act at a time as they come into your view.
Now imagine another view of that same parade, but this time it is from a helicopter. From the helicopter's viewpoint the entire parade can be seen from start to finish in a single perspective. That's what God's view is like.
When you exalt God and live according to His Word, you recognize that you are meant to live in the larger story of life, not the smaller story. As Pastor Jimmy Evans puts it:
"Living in the smaller story means getting engrossed in petty things like bills and cars and houses...God exists in the larger story, and that's where He wants to take you."
Lift Him high! One of God's names is Jehovah Nissi, which means "The Lord is our Banner." When the Lord is your banner, you recognize that He is above you and that He always goes before you. When the Lord is exalted in your life, you can overcome every situation!
Meditation Scriptures
· Job 36:22 "Behold, God is exalted
by His power; Who teaches like Him?
· Psalm 118:16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted; The right hand of the LORD does valiantly.
· Isaiah 30:18 Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.
· Isaiah 33:5 The LORD is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness.
Be blessed in Health, Healing, and Wholeness,
Kimberly Taylor
Take Back Your Temple
www.takebackyourtemple.com
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