Esther 3:2. “And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.” BOWED NOT. Not standing tall in arrogance or as an insubordinate, self-important man, But with dignity, he remains erect while others, fawning, bow. He knows who he is; he knows his God; he knows what to God is right. In a foreign country he may be, but his God is the same everywhere. And he is God’s child, a son, and that fact does not, nor cannot change – Not if he is a free man, nor even when he is in the bondage of slavery. Above it all – he remains God’s own, and is solely responsible to Him. Above it all – he must love, obey and honor God supremely, above all else.
Reverence for God is different than reasonable respect for honest men. Reverence claims worship that rises far higher than even a moral man’s right. He stood quietly, unbowed, respectful – without sarcastic words that despise. Looking straight ahead – and straight through Haman’s dark hatred; He sees a heart blackened with malice, deceit, the darkness of hell itself. A higher allegiance commands, yea demands, his reverence and honor – A greater service filled the heart of the man of God standing alone in the gate. God, and God alone moves his knees and heart to bow together in reverence.
Many claims will try to demand my heart and will to bow in submission – The voices that each day call out seem reasonable to all around my life. There is only One whose Person and place do rightly claim my reverence – My Lord and my God has brought the unbent knees of the high to bow down low. The heads of compromise that bow in acquiescence to the pressures all around – Cannot dictate to me, that I must submit to every claim men may make for my allegiance. I must reserve the reverential worship of my heart and life for Him – my Lord – alone. Jesus is my Lord – I dare not allow anyone else or anything to claim that special place.
“O Lord, my God: Thou art the One to whom I bow in adoration and reverential respect, for Thou art God and there is none other – in my life. No other claims that place in this heart that is reserved for Thee alone. I am Thine, O God; I exalt and honor Thee here even as my heart is bowed to Thee as Lord of my heart, my life, my all. Amen.”