The Bible refers to God as LORD. It represents His divinity and characterizes the nature of man’s relationship with Him. David related to the LORD, not as a rule-maker or taskmaster, but in a very personal way. In Psalm 23 he referred to Him as his Shepherd; the One who provides, comforts, protects, watches over him and leads him in the way of peace. Jesus came in the flesh to reveal the nature of God so all could relate with Him in a personal way. How can you honor Him as LORD?
RELEVANCE
On the day of Pentecost Peter specifically quoted David’s writings from the Psalms, associating Christ with the One he referred to as LORD. He revealed that David had seen into the future the resurrection of the Messiah, and acknowledged Jesus as LORD.
God the Father acknowledged Jesus as LORD, having come as the prophets had foretold, surrendering Himself in humble obedience to accomplish the required work of salvation through crucifixion. His resurrection proved His divinity and the fact that He had accomplished God’s purposes.
The apostle Paul affirmed Christ’s Lordship in all his writings, especially in Philippians 2:8-11.
“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
As LORD, He is to be revered and honored in all we do; not just out of obligation, but in sincere appreciation from a grateful heart. We express such gratitude through everyday expressions of worship “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23).
One way David expressed such kind of worship was by keeping a soft heart and practicing self-examination to stay right with God. “Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart” (Psalm 26:2).
REFLECT AND RELATE
How do you express gratefulness to the LORD on a daily basis? In what other ways might you be able to express honor and reverence towards the LORD?
REFERENCES
Psalm 51:7-10; Galatians 6:4; James 4:7-8