The Lord Lifts up Those Who are Bowed Down

What on Earth is God Doing?

By William M. Self, Sr.

“The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down”

Psalms 146:8

 

The Lord Lifts up Those Who are Bowed Down

Bowing seems to be understood universally.

This gesture seems to find its roots back

so far no one knows where it started.

There are the bows of apology and thanks.

Bows of greeting, and bows of respect.

Servants bow before masters,

performers bow at the applause.

 

Military and the martial arts bow with respect.

Bowing can be the nod of the head

or the face on the ground.

In religious settings, bowing is common Shinto,

Buddhism, Hindu, Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.

Bowing seems to come naturally when we are

ashamed or have a heavy burden on our minds.

Psalms 146 tells us… 

God recognizes those who are bowed down.

David in Psalms 3 was surrounded by those

who said God would not help him at a time

when he felt like hanging his head, he said…

“But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you

 bestow glory on me and lift up my head.” Psalm 3:3 NIV

 If you have failed in life…  

“The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts

 up all who are bowed down.” Psalm 145:14 NIV

An amazing thing happened on the

Sabbath while Jesus was teaching…

A woman crippled and bent over for 18 years;

 the scriptures say, the cause was a spirit.

Jesus set her free from her infirmity and

 she immediately straightened up. Luke 13:11

Paul the apostle talked about a time he

 was physically tired and cast down.

“But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted

 us by the coming of Titus” 2 Corinthians 7:6 NIV

He also added the saints concern for Him gave him joy.

No matter what the reason for bowing our head

if we do it before God He will lift up our head.

God is looking for those who are bowing their heads.

For those who hang their head in humility, He rises to honor.

Those who are struggling when times get bad He says…

“When these things begin to take place,

stand up and lift up your heads, because your

redemption is drawing near." Luke 21:28 NIV

 So “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author

 and perfecter of our faith” Hebrews 12:2 NIV

 

Scripture Reading

Psalm 146:5-8 NIV

5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,

whose hope is in the Lord his God,

6 the Maker of heaven and earth,

the sea, and everything in them —

the Lord, who remains faithful forever.

7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed

and gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets prisoners free,

8 the Lord gives sight to the blind,

                                           the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down