Bow before Him!

    In the very first chapter of the book of Job, we read an interesting account of a man called Job. He was described as a man who was perfect and upright, one who feared God and shunned evil (v.1). He was also a very rich man, with numerous sheep, camels, oxen, and donkeys. He was in fact considered the greatest of men in the east.
    However, one day, God decided to test Job to prove to the devil that Job would be faithful to Him no matter what. With permission from God, Satan struck Job’s animals, some were killed, others stolen. He had seven sons and three daughters. While they were feasting in their oldest brother’s house, a strong wind came and the house collapsed on them, killing them all. 
    When Job heard the tragic news, he tore his mantle, shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped God (vv.20-21). This was not the typical response that anyone would give, but Job gave it. He was crushed to be sure, but he made a choice not to become angry with his God.
    In verse 20, the word ‘worshipped’ (Hebrew: shâchâh), signifies to prostrate oneself in homage to royalty or God; to bow down. Job had a choice. He was certainly overcome with grief but instead of crying out in anger or anguish, he chose to bow before his God. What comes to my mind is that he chose not to bow to anger, or bitterness or even grief … but to his God. His God was bigger than what he was going through and was the only One powerful enough to take him through this tragedy. In short, Job shifted his focus from the problem to his God: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord” (v.21).
    I also recall the testimony of Maxine, who for several years had suffered with a persistent cough that made her life challenging. She was diagnosed as having bronchiectasis, an incurable lung disease. She had to use a nebuliser twice a day to help clear her lungs. She truly believed that God would heal her. She and her husband prayed for her healing. She also leaned on Exodus 23:25 (NIV) which says: “Worship the Lord your God and His blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you.” She finally got down on her knees before the Lord one day, determined to worship Him. She also asked Him to honour her husband’s prayer for her healing. As she worshipped, she felt God’s presence and power in her spirit so strongly that she knew that she was healed. From that moment, she never again had another coughing spell. She went to her follow up doctor's appointment a month later. Her doctor was pleased with her progress but ordered another follow up six months later. At that appointment, according to Maxine, she was still healed! 
    I love the fact that Maxine determined to worship God. In short, she determined to bow before her God, acknowledging Him as more powerful than her sickness. She did not bow to fear, she did not bow to discouragement, she did not bow to her doctor’s diagnosis, she bowed to her God. He deserved the honour and glory, not her sickness. Job too, chose to bow before God, not his circumstances, not his situation.
    What are we bowing to today? Are we bowing to sickness, fear, discouragement, anger, bitterness, our situation? Or, is God getting the glory in spite of what we are going through? Worship is a choice. What we worship is also a choice. When Maxine bowed before God she got the help she needed. When Job bowed before God he was abundantly blessed.
    Whatever the situation may be, no matter how hopeless, you can choose to bow to the situation in defeat or bow to God in victory. But, rest assured that when you bow to God, He will never fail you.
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. God wants to be your Healer and Deliverer. He wants to be the One that you run to, that you bow to because He knows He is the only One with the answer that you need.

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