Exalted

“My praises will break the powers of wickedness, while the righteous will be promoted and become powerful!” Psalm 75:10

My praises matter. They join all of creation in lifting up and magnifying the one who is exalted above all. And because God is exalted, then God can also impart that status to others. When you are in a position of power, then you are in a position to raise others up as well. If the bellhop tells you that you have been promoted to the penthouse suite, you might not be in luck. But if the owner of the hotel extends the same news, you can rest assured that you will be sleeping in luxury that night. The owner has the power to give you any room in the building, for as long as they decide. And because of their position, their word is good. They have the power to back up the invitation.

God is promoting us. He desires to exalt us. He is an inclusive God - not exclusive. God desires all of his precious children to be lifted up and exalted with him. God anoints us and places us in a position of honor, yet the path follows the same journey that Jesus took. We must humble ourselves first. Scripture tells us in 1 Peter 5:6 that “If you bow low in God’s awesome presence, he will eventually exalt you as you leave the timing in his hands.”

When we praise God, we fall into the perfect order of things. We bow before a being far beyond our understanding, so powerful and so removed from our plane of existence in many ways. But we also worship a God who comes near, who always tenderly cares for us, and who intends to exalt us as well - just as Jesus was exalted after he allowed himself to be humbled to the point of death.

You may be feeling disrespected and insignificant. You may look at your paycheck and feel undervalued. You may feel unappreciated by those you love. You may feel overlooked or despised by society. But know that God does not see you that way. So leave your position in the hands of a mighty God who promises to lift you up and honor you. Leave the timing in His hands, but stand tall in the knowledge that your powerful praises have placed you on track to be promoted very soon by the only one who matters.

"This I know: the favor that brings promotion and power doesn't come from anywhere on earth, for no one exalts a person but God, the true judge of all. He alone determines where favor rests. He anoints one for greatness and brings another down to his knees." Psalms 75:6

- Kelly Joyce (a contributing writer of the COBI community. Read more at Triumphantly.net)