“Will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you!” 1 Kings 8:27
“He bowed the heavens and came down.” Psalm 18:9
“Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart…
He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” Psalm 24:3-5
“I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” John 6:38
“You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9
“In saying, ‘He ascended,’ what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.” Ephesians 4:10
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11
The transcendent God displays His supremacy at all times, in all places. By nature above and beyond and more brilliant than man’s comprehension, in Christ He descended to earth, condescending from glory until He would ascend back to glory, so that the descendent of Adam might be saved. (John 20:17; Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 1:2-4)
In the natural pomp within which we operate, it becomes our default to consider God a larger, higher, superior version of man. We confuse the myriad of little gods we worship with the One true surpassing God, whose excellence and preeminence defy comparison. When was the last time I contemplated God’s transcendence to the point of feeling small? (Psalm 8:3-5; 19:1)
Committing attention to read the Word exposes us to His luster shining brilliantly through it. When did we last hush ourselves to bow before the Holy One’s dazzling splendor and listen to Him speak? (Psalm 36:9; 119:105; Matthew 17:5)
The Savior who condescended in submission to the Father, lowering Himself so we could be raised victorious over sin and death, calls us to similar humility. What privilege or right need I surrender for the greater dignity of bearing Christ’s name? (Romans 8:15; Galatians 3:29; Hebrews 2:10-11)
“The love of God is greater far
than tongue or pen can ever tell;
it goes beyond the highest star,
and reaches to the lowest hell.
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win.
The erring child He reconciled,
and pardoned from his sin.
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
the saints’ and angels’ song.” ~Frederick Lehman (1917)
Resplendent Lord, inspire increasing crescendo in my worship and submission before You who are forever high and lifted up. (Isaiah 6:1-8)
As the rain and snow 