How should God's exaltation influence our worship practices and attitudes? The Exalted Lord in Psalm 99:2 “Great is the LORD in Zion; He is exalted above all the peoples.” Key Observations - “Great” points to incomparable majesty—nothing rivals Him. - “In Zion” roots His greatness in real history and covenant space. - “Exalted above all the peoples” places every culture, status, and opinion beneath Him. What His Exaltation Means - Absolute supremacy (Psalm 97:9). - Moral perfection—His ways are never flawed (Deuteronomy 32:4). - Undisputed authority—every knee must bow (Philippians 2:9-11). Attitudes Shaped by His Exaltation • Awe, not casualness – Isaiah 6:1-5 shows even angels covering their faces before the exalted Lord. • Humility, not self-promotion – “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6) • Gratitude, not entitlement – Psalm 95:6: “Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.” • Confidence, not fear of man – Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations.” Practices Shaped by His Exaltation 1. Reverent posture • Kneeling, bowing, lifting hands—physical acts that align body with heart. 2. Scripture-centered gatherings • We come to hear His exalted voice, not human opinions (2 Timothy 4:2). 3. God-focused songs • Lyrics that magnify His character more than our feelings (Psalm 113:4-5). 4. Confession and repentance • Standing before the Holy One exposes sin; we respond with honest confession (1 John 1:9). 5. Generous giving • We offer resources as tribute to the King who owns all (1 Chronicles 29:11-14). 6. Decent order • His throne room is not chaotic; our services reflect that orderliness (1 Corinthians 14:40). Gathering with the Exalted King in Mind - Begin with Scripture that lifts eyes upward (call to worship). - Allow moments of silence to ponder His greatness. - Preach Christ crucified and risen—the pinnacle of God’s exaltation (Acts 2:33-36). - Celebrate the Lord’s Supper as a foretaste of the heavenly throne room (Revelation 5:12-13). Everyday Life as Worship • Work: perform tasks “as for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23). • Speech: exalt Him by clean, edifying words (Ephesians 4:29). • Decisions: filter choices through His commands, not cultural trends (Psalm 119:105). • Suffering: trust His sovereign throne even when circumstances wobble (Romans 8:28). Living Response The exaltation of God calls us to worship with wide-eyed wonder, low-bent hearts, and obedient lives. We honor the King in gathered praise and in the quiet corners of daily routine, because He remains “exalted above all the peoples” at every moment. |
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