Face Down On The Ground

Scripture

11And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. 12They sang, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.” Revelation 7:11-12

Observation

Under the Emperor Domitian all the world seemed to be bowing their knee to Rome. The Christians in the early church who dared to only bow to King Jesus were subjected to violent torture, suffering, and cultural ridicule.  Imagine how this prophetic scene of all of Heaven bowing down before the throne of God would have lifted their spirits. They would be martyred on earth but honored in Heaven. This prophecy reminded them that there was only one who was worthy of they sevenfold blessing because their was only one King who was perfect and lacked nothing in His reign. These early Christians joined all of heaven as they knelt in the dirt mixed with the blood of their loved ones singing boldly before their executioners: blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, strength. Rome was not the center of the universe no matter how vast its reach at that time. This kingdom would come crumbling down just had so many before or since.  N. T. Wright would note: this is a kingdom-of-God moment—John portrays true sovereignty belonging not to Caesar but to the Lamb’s God. These suffering saints in Asia Minor were following the example of those who had gone before them where kneeling is reserved for only One:

Old Testament:

• Solomon at the Temple dedication: “kneeled on his knees” with hands lifted (1 Kings 8:54; 2 Chronicles 6:13)

• Ezra confessing Israel’s sins: “fell upon his knees”

• Daniel’s regular habit: “kneeled upon his knees three times a day” (Daniel 6:10)

• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego wouldn’t kneel before the idol of King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3)

New Testament:

• Stephen, before being martyred: “kneeled down, and cried… ” (Acts 7:60)

• Peter praying with Tabitha’s body present: “kneeling down, he prayed” (Acts 9:40)

• Paul and the Ephesian elders: “kneeling down, he prayed with them” (Acts 20:36)

• Luke notes Jesus praying in Gethsemane: “kneeled down, and prayed” (Luke 22:41)

Application

F.B. Meyer once said, “There is no burden of the spirit but is lighter by kneeling under it.” I’ve been finding myself face down on the ground a lot more lately. I didn’t really think about it until I read this passage today. I always start the day off on my knees at my bedside surrendering my day to the Lord. Normally, though, this is the only time I really ever bow down in prayer. Recently, though, it’s felt like the best place to be is on my knees before The King of Kings. Whether it’s because we’ve started opening up the altar at The Father’s House for more Holy Spirit ministry or because I’ve just felt a need to humble myself in a way that involves my whole body, or I’ve been praying through a lot of heavy situations,  I’ve just been doing it a lot more. I’ve been kneeling so often that people are sending me pictures of me praying. Honestly, it’s hard to know what to do with that because the whole point of getting on my knees to give my full attention to the only One worthy of attention. So, when people are paying attention to me giving attention to God it makes me a bit self conscious. Yet, I’m not going to let that keep me from doing it because I’m growing more and desperate for a mighty move of God that I’m thinking less and less about what other people might be thinking about me. I’ve never had to suffer for bowing down, but being face down on the ground does remind me that there is only one throne and one king and one who reigns and it’s not me! I don’t think God hears my prayers any more whether I’m standing or kneeling. I do, however, think my prayers are more focused on the One who is hearing them when I’m on knees. I do also think that when I get up off my knees I must continue in that attitude of desperate humility and sheer desire to honor Jesus by how I serve those around me. In a day and age of harsh rage and bitter retorts a kind word is a practical way to walk through my day on my knees. Dwight L. Moody once said, “Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.”

Prayer

As I enter this 21 Day Fast I want my hunger for the things of this world to fade and my hunger for Your presence to grow. Like Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52) crying out all the louder while everyone is telling him to shut up, I’m crying out to You, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Have mercy on The Father’s House! Have mercy on San Marcos, on San Diego, on California, on our Nation. Forgive us for walking around like we are the kings who own the place as if everyone should bow before us. Our pride stinks to high heaven and I’m becoming more and more aware of how much it has been in the way of what You want to do! Let me, let us, be a people found face down on the ground until You come and shake this ground with Your presence (Acts 4:31)!