Verse of the day: “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should 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 2:9-11 NIV

Bowing down means you have to slow down and stop moving. In fact, you cannot bow down without slowing down and stopping. We get so busy in this life that we do not take the time we need to daily to slow down, stop, and bow down and worship the Lord. In football games, when a player is hurt, it is customary and respectful to stop the game and take a knee on the field until the player gets up or is ushered off the field. It says, “We honor you so much we are willing to stop everything until you are OK.” Taking a knee to propose means everything slows down to honor and focus on the engagement moment and the soon to be fiancé. Every head in the room turns when he takes a knee to honor the one he loves.
Philippians 2:9-11 tells us God lifted up Jesus and that everyone else should humble themselves and verbally express He is Lord. The Bible is filled with references to bowing down before the Lord. This beautiful expression of worship in Philippians 2 is taken from Isaiah 45:23 where the prophet describes, “Before me every knee will bow and by me every tongue will swear.” The Psalmist wrote, “Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker” (Psalm 95:6). Luke 8:47 tells us about a woman who, came trembling, falling before His feet, confessing to everyone why she had touched Him, and how she was instantly healed.” Revelation 4:10 depicts heaven where “the twenty four elders bow down before Him who sits on the throne, …casting their crowns at His feet…”. Bowing is an act of worship, honor, and humility and we must slow down so we can bow down and adore the Lord.

The original Greek of Philippians 2:9-11 conveys every person must bow down. There will be a day when everyone will be made to bow down and say Jesus is Lord. I’m not sure about you, but I don’t want to be made to do this…I willingly want to do it now! We must live a continued life on bended knees! I remember playing basketball in school and the coach was always telling us, “bend your knees”. Bending knees helped us to shoot, jump, pass, dribble, and react on defense. I was a better player when my knees were bent at all times! How much better would our life go in all areas if we would practice a bended knee lifestyle? A bended knee lifestyle will focus our prayers. A life on bended knees will keep us away from sin. A life on bended knees will help us love others like Jesus would. A life on bended knees will help us humbly walk out God’s will for our lives. One day, God will be glorified as every living creature bends low and voices worship, but I desire to give Him glory and humble my life now. Are you living a bended knee lifestyle?