I’m sure that you have noticed how the word UP gets a lot of good press while the word DOWN is treated with disdain. A few examples will suffice: You never hear of anyone working their way down the corporate ladder to success. No one would be proud to divulge that they go down to their penthouse apartment. When times are tough, we delight to hear someone announce, “Things are looking up!” Let’s face it, UP is generally associated with good and positive things while DOWN is more commonly used with reference to the dreadful.
In His Word, God makes it abundantly clear that His ways and thoughts are different, even contrary to those of men. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8–9)” There are numerous examples of this divine anomaly in the pages of scripture, but perhaps none more boldly displayed than this: “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. (1 Corinthians 1:26–29)”
So, from God’s perspective, UP and DOWN may be mischaracterized. He would have us to know that the way to deliverance, to success, to usability, to happiness and fulfillment is down. He says, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (1 Peter 5:6)” He told His followers, “…whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: (Matthew 20:26–27)”
Our God is willing to reach DOWN and bless us! Let’s get into position.