Day 67 

“Behold, I ^[will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and make them know that I have loved you.” Rev 3:9. 

The Greek word behind “bow down” in our text is the typical word for “worship” in the Book of Revelation. The background to this text is in the Old Testament. The sons of those who oppressed the Jews in Babylon would bow down to them, showing that they were no longer despised, but now were honoured (45:14; 49:23; 60:14).  

I remember the story of a Pastor who picked up his 10mth old daughter on the way to the lectern to preach. He began his sermon from the podium with his daughter in his arms. The girl at first stared wide-eyed at the congregation. Then she got bored and proceeded to put his tie in her mouth, grab his glasses and pull his nose and hair. Each time the audience would break out in laughter.  

Finally, when the audience became still, the Pastor said to the congregation, “Is there anything that she could do that you could not forgive her for?” People began to nod, thinking of their own children and grandchildren. 

The Pastor continued, “And when does that end? At three? At fifteen? At thirty? How old does someone have to be before you forget that everyone is a child of God?” 

There was total silence in the audience. Very softly the pastor asked, “And when did you forget that you too are a child of God?” 

Does God love us less than we love our children? Is a three-year-old’s continuation as part of the family conditional upon never making a mess? Conditional on earning his or her keep? Do we think God is a poorer parent than most of us? Do we feel inside that we could never be good enough to merit God’s acceptance and favour? Consciously, or unconsciously, we often operate from a fear-driven covenant with God, and many of our behaviours and relationships are motivated by an effort to avoid God’s judgment. 

Many of us strive fearfully to deserve God’s love. We are reluctant to believe that we belong. Perhaps that is the cause of most of our stress. Perhaps we need to become like children again to know just how much God loves us.