For those of us who are connected to
the Salvation Army (in Norway), the caption, 'On bended Knees', immediately brings to mind the
association to the territory's vision of a "living army." The vision
has five elements, and one of them is that a living army, is an army on 'bended
knees'.
It was common for the early
Christians to kneel (Acts 21:5) and for Paul too; he knelt in recognition of
Jesus as Lord (Phil. 2:10-11). And in his letter to the Ephesians he mentions
it as a natural part of his prayer life:
For this reason I kneel before the Father… Ephesians 3:14; “
Note, he uses; "For this reason".
It is likely that "For this reason" here, points back to his teaching
that the Gentiles in Christ are present and that they together with the Jews are
part of the promises.
The end of the verse is a form of
confirmation of that. Saul (Paul’s Jewish name) had occupied much of his life
in opposition to Christ.
The saved (rescued), new creature
Paul (his Roman name: he was Jewish but also a citizen of Rome) was concerned
that nothing that happened in and through his life was spent in vain.
If he sang songs of praise, there
were probably difficult moments while he was imprisoned (in Rome).
It is probable that the words "prisoner
of Jesus Christ" refer to the literal prison, and it was actually for
"the pagan's sake" that he, the Jew Saul, was imprisoned.
But perhaps that was what put
everything in perspective?
Maybe it was just this that was so problematic; he had been given insight into a mystery? So he bowed on his knees in humility and gratitude,
regardless of circumstances.
Today's 'manna'
When I do not know 'why', I can bend
my knees in humility, and ask, answer my a 'why'.
like, like, like. Reminds me very much of the style many of us 'oldies' were brought up on. 'Knee Drill' but it was more than a 'drill'. We soon learned as young people it was a position of our heart. Sadly I think younger people miss out on this today. My prayer however, is for our Army within our Army, within the UK and within our North Western Division:
ReplyDelete'At Thy feet I bow adoring
Bending low and lower still
Giving up my all to follow
Just to do my Masters will
Giving up my all to follow
Just to do my Masters will'
On my knees I have always found strength!
RTD UKT