CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 870

“Lifter of My Head”

But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. (Psalm 3:3)

Where has the reverential fear of the Lord gone in our society? His Holy Name is used in vain in prime time entertainment – often in a derogatory manner. Almighty God is flippantly referred to as ‘the man upstairs’ or as ‘my copilot’. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God… (Romans 1:21)

Our worship of Him has largely been reduced to mere ritual and tradition while our prayers treat Him as a magic genie blessing machine. This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:8-9)

When Moses first encountered God at the burning bush (Exodus 3:6) he hid his face and was instructed to remove his sandals because he was standing on holy ground. In the presence of Almighty God, Moses was repentant before Him. Throughout Scripture we see people who encounter the presence of God fall on their faces in repentance, worship and awe. …let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe… (Hebrews 12:28)

Jesus taught a parable about a tax collector and a Pharisee who both went to the temple to pray. (Luke 18:9-14) The Pharisee prayed in self-righteous pride with his head lifted high. The tax collector could not lift up his eyes and prayed humbly before God seeking forgiveness for his sin. The tax collector is the one who went home justified before God. do not lift up your horn on high, or speak with haughty neck. (Psalm 75:5)

The truth is that our righteousness does not come from our good works. Our righteousness comes through the righteousness of Jesus Christ alone. In the presence of God we are to remain humble and repentant. It is Jesus who lifts up our head and justifies us before Father God which He cannot do if we approach God with heads already lifted high in self-righteous pride.

May you remain humble and repentant before God. May you revere Him and remain in awe of Him – never taking Him for granted. May you press through all the junk of this world and enter into true worship of Him. May the Lord be your shield, your glory and the lifter of your head.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! (Psalm 111:10)