The Phil Files

I remember the very first time I heard the song, There’s a Stirring, shortly before it’s official release on radio and CD. I was literally moved to tears. The following lines struck me powerfully:

I will rise up,
I will rise up,
then bow down,
and lay my crown,
at His wounded feet!

When there is no apparent reason to “have to” offer praise, we voluntarily, out a deep sense of adoration and appreciation, fall at the feet of the Lord in worship simply because of who He is and our own recognition of our deep need of His gracious presence and power.

Recently, as I read through the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John in the Bible), I was struck by a powerful and repeated image that I seemed to have missed or forgotten. People in need fell to their knees or fell at the feet of Jesus. Some of these instances used a technical term for worship which means “to bow low before” or “to kiss the feet of” someone in worship. Some, however, just speak of the physical posture people took in desperation or adoration before Jesus on their knees bowed low before their Lord.

Even more recently, I read through Mark 5. I again read of people falling at the feet of Jesus in reverence, fear, respect, and awe. But as I read this chapter in both English and Greek (see the www.searchgodsword.org Bible resource) I also kept noticing the repeated word referring to the way people spoke to Jesus. The NASB translates this word “implore” (Mark 5:7, 10, 12, 17, 23). Again, we are show the absolute dependence of those before Jesus; they knew they needed his grace, power, and might. In that moment, they fell at the feet of Jesus!

In His earthly ministry, the Lord was the one in control and all-powerful. He spoke and everyone and everything obeyed Him. Demons fell at His feet, powerless even in great numbers to do anything but obey. Death and illness were no match for His power. Even the fearful heart was emboldened to come forward and bow before Him and receive His deliverance, mercy, and grace.

As several passages in the New Testament indicate, every knee will ultimately one day bow before Jesus and recognize Him as Lord (Philippians 2:5-11; Romans 14:11). Our challenge — my challenge — is to do so gladly, appreciatively, and humbly now. Some have mocked me even saying this:

“Christians are weak and need a crutch.”

“I’m sad for you feeling like you have to cower before an imaginary diety.”

But I’m sure many folks mocked the people who fell at Jesus’ feet during His earthly ministry. It is in taking that loving risk of adoration that we are suddenly set free to receive the Lord’s grace and experience His presence in ways we never have before. This is where we get our first glimpse of the Kingdom of God in our midst in Jesus.

So bow — not just kneel, but fall on your face — before Jesus in your bedroom, motel room, church building, retreat center, TV room — and implore Jesus out of the depths of your deepest need wait on the Lord and experience His grace.

He’s been waiting for you to do so for a long time. For sure, I believe with all my heart, He is longing to lift you up. And when you finally do fall at His feet, I bet you wonder why it has taken you so long … why you have denied yourself such grace.

Hear the Lord say, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” And know that your Savior has sent you away with the beautiful words of comfort, “Your faith has made you well; go in peace …”