Missed Step Or Out Of Step. Either Way It Brings You To Your Knees.

2015.11.20 Devotional Thought

William Akehurst, HSWC

Ephesians 3 with emphasis on vs 14.

Missed Step or Out of Step. Either way it brings you to your knees.

This is based on a real life story testimony and illustration of the HOLY SPIRIT conviction, teaching, renewing, refreshing and restoring.

Ephesians 3

Other Scriptures of substance

Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Philippians 2:10-11 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Psalms 95:6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

Isaiah 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

Missed Step or Out of Step?

Bob, a pastor friend of mine, was leaving the 2nd story sanctuary by way of the staircase to the entry level. In the final paces of the stairs, he misjudged the last step causing him to fall. As he fell, he felt the tear of something in his knee.

He missed the last step and it brought him to his knees.

Missed Step or Out of Step?

The conviction of the HOLY GHOST came over me as Bob told me of his real life story and testimony this morning as he was preparing for surgery to repair his injured knee.

As Bob reflected on the those words, Missed Step and Out of Step; convicted by the Holy Spirit to get back in step with the LORD GOD. Bob alluded to the military as they march Lockstep with one another. We need to walk lockstep with the LORD. HIS leading, and our following need to be timed together so we don’t fall out of line.

In my research, chain gang prisoners would shuffle in a lockstep format with shackles on their ankles requiring them to move together as one. To assist with keeping as a unit, as one, they would lock arm to arm one to another to move as a group and so as not to fall. This is a group, moving in sync with each other.

I think of the writings of Paul as he states he is a servant of the LORD in bonds (See Ephesians 3 notes below). His every move was to be ordained by the LORD GOD and he wrote in these terms as depending on the LORD for everything in his life. We can have greater understanding of this by the simple illustration of Bob’s Testimony of the missed step.

It’s interesting that from the missed step, Bob injured his knee.

The knee represents our humble approach to the LORD as we fall to our knees and confess that HE IS LORD. HIS WORD demands that every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that HE IS LORD. We were taught to pray, on bended knee as we knelt by our bedsides as children to pray before bedtime. To get on our knees is to humble ourselves before the LORD.

Today, Bob is facing surgery on his knee. And this day, the conviction of the Holy Spirit is upon him. As the doctors repair the knee, the LORD is bringing healing. Healing not only to the joins, tendons, muscles, etc. of the knee, but of Bob’s position IN the LORD. GOD’s WORD says, Humble thyself in the sight of the LORD and HE will lift you up.

Bob’s humility has been restored, his fear of the LORD, his reverence for the LORD, and his dependence on the LORD is being renewed, refreshed and restored.

Today is the day that the LORD has made, we rejoice and are glad. This is the work of the LORD, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

Today is a day of renewed forgiveness, as we are brought to our knees before HIM, asking for HIS mercy and grace; desiring to be lockstep, arm in arm and one with JESUS; confessing that HE IS THE LORD!

Ephesians 3

V1. Paul as Prisoner

V2-13. Called to share the Gospel

V14-19. On his knees humbly praying for others

V20-21. Glorifying HIM