face down

PJ: what's the theme?

Me: it's about finding your place flat on your face...

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I Chronicles 16:11, 27-36

King David's (& Rachel's) Song of Thanks

"Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place.

Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength... the glory due his name;

Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth;

yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations,

"The Lord reigns!"

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult and everything in it!

Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord,

for he come to judge the earth.

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!"

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Joshua 5:14-15

Commander: "...I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come."

Joshua: (falls on his face 'to the earth') "What does my lord say to his servant?"

Commander: "Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy"

I think there's a beautiful truth that is acted out when people hit the dirt in God's presence. Sometimes all of a sudden we are struck by the contrast of God's greatness and our insignificance, and our efforts are in vain as we can't get low enough. Face down. Silent. Pleading. Surrendered.

There's a thick blank page at the back of my Bible (after the maps) where I write one-liners from songs, Bible verses, authors or speakers that have stood out to me, and there I have a list of people who found themselves face down in God's presence. Good examples of sinners saved by grace like Abraham (Genesis 17:3), Moses (Numbers 20:6), David (1 Chronicles 21:16), Ezekiel (1:28), Daniel (10:15), Peter, James & John (Matthew 17:6), the whole nation of Israel (Leviticus 9:24) and Heaven (Revelations 4:9-11). This list, if nothing else, reminds me that humbling myself before God is a practice of those who have gone before me.

I remember being 17 year old and almost tripping over my dad in a low-traffic area of the sanctuary of the church we had attended for 7 and a 1/2 years, who had found his rightful posture between a couple pews, face down before his King. I don't think I had ever seen someone "prostrated before the Lord" before. I remember feeling like I wanted him to get up. I wanted him to look strong, not hurt, not broken, and as "put together" as possible, thank you. But, instead, seeing my dad seeking God this way, completely undone and humbled, taught me a beautiful lesson of God's presence. Everything bows before Him, our King; people, broken, leaders, pride, prestige, power... all of it in all of us.

"Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!" Psalm 96:9

"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe..." Hebrews 12:28

Jesus' presence among sinners on earth must have been just so confusing to those following him around. It's hard to understand for me too. So, He had to come if we were to have a way to know God, but WHY would he come? How can he love me so much when I'm so broken? ugly? dirty? Does he know that I'm going to mess this up down the road? I'll forget that this gift is so precious, and I'll forget to love Him the way I ought to. I'll come before Him with clanging cymbals and feel pretty confident that I'm loving the way I 'ought to', but I'll be hurting Him.

Praise God for restoration, and one who intercedes for our cryptic messages of confession, adoration and thanksgiving.

"Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day... a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean.." Hebrews 10:22

"... the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." Isaiah 51:11

Jesus asks that we come to him just as we are, with faith, believing that we can be made well in His atonement for us, sacrifice and merciful love.

There is grace abounding in His presence.

"daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace" - Jesus (Luke 8:48)

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Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

- David (1 Chronicles 29:11-13)

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Here in Your Presence (Desperation Band, New Life Worship)

Found in your hands, fullness of joy

Every fear suddenly wiped away

Here in Your presence

All of my gains now fade away

Every crown no longer on display

Here in Your presence

Heaven is trembling in awe of your wonder

The kings and their kingdoms are standing amazed

Here in Your presence,

We are undone

Here in Your presence

Heaven and earth become one

Here in Your presence

All things are new

Here in Your presence

Everything bows before you

Wonderful, Beautiful,

Glorious, Matchless in every way