Jesus was crucified, he died and he was buried but the scripture says that on the third day, the stone was rolled away and he arose; in other words, he got up. That’s what Easter is all about and that’s what we’ve just celebrated.
Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:9 that we suffer persecution, but are not forsaken; we are cast down, but we do not perish: He continued in Romans 8:37, by saying that “in all these things we are more than conquerors”, Jesus crowned it all by telling us in John 16:33 to be of “good cheer that he has overcome the world”.
He overcame, he got up so that you would no longer be bound. He got up to unwind all that’s been wound around you. No principality or power can hold you down because when Jesus got up, he also took you up with him. A lot of Bible-believing folks know this truth but yet do not live it, they are bound and their head is still bowed down.
Lift up your heads, O you gates. Psalm 24:9a (NIV)
The head is the top part of the body and it is contained most of the body’s sense organs. I’ve learned from studying the bible that the lifting of the head signifies promotion, advancement, an upgrade; the opposite, which is bowing indicates demotion, depression, relegation, downgrading, devaluation, reduction, and lowering. I hope you get the picture I’m trying to paint.
Having said that, please remember that bowing as well as kneeling are physical expressions of our reverence for God and we must be obedient to the Spirit of God as he prompts us.
But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. Psalm 3:3 (NIV)
When the head is bowed, the rest of the body functions minimally. When the head is bowed, doors are shut but when it is lifted they are open.
I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt so you would no longer be their slaves. I broke the yoke of slavery from your neck so you can walk with your heads held high. Leviticus 26:13 (NLT)
God wants you to walk with your head held high, he is interested in you standing and walking upright not bent. He has made the sacrifice, he has paid all the price it is just for you to lift your head.
Friend, I encourage you today to lift your head and walk upright.
Thank you for reading this journal. I trust that you’ve been encouraged. Please take hold of this word, ponder on it, and don’t fail to apply it in your life.
Related journal:
HE GOT UP – Part 2