Posted on Jul 24, 2009

EL CAJON, Calif. (BP)--Our victories are gained on our knees. As we turn ourselves, our plans and our problems over to God, He intervenes. When we bow before Him, we’re acknowledging Him as our "Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.”

Sometimes we make the mistake of not getting on our knees before accepting a job offer, making a purchase, choosing a new church, or making any decision of consequence. People are quietly watching, and they know when we’re living in prayerful obedience or when on the other hand, we act without consulting Him.

It’s also obvious to others when our knees draw down blessings from above. In the January/February 2003 issue of Pray! Magazine, Elmer Towns said that he and his wife made it through college by faith, praying together and trusting God to meet their needs. Towns earned a dollar an hour driving a school bus, but his income barely met their needs.

“One evening,” he wrote, “the only thing in the kitchen cabinet was a can of tuna, so my wife served a tuna casserole. As we clasped hands to thank God for the food, I prayed, ‘God, you know we are broke. You know it’s two days until payday. You know we are willing to fast until we get money, but we ask you to please take care of our needs.’”

Just as they finished, the laundry man came to the door. Ruth greeted him, telling him they had nothing to send to the laundry, for they couldn’t afford to have anything cleaned.

The man quickly explained that he hadn’t come to pick up but to deliver. “A few months ago,” he said, “your landlord asked me to pass along twenty dollars to you to pay for having thawed the pipes for him. I had forgotten about it until today.”

It was no coincidence. Elmer and Ruth earnestly believed their prayer had reminded the laundry man that he had money for them.

If you want to pull down blessings from above and impact the world around you, you’ve got to be surrendered to God’s will, taking life on your knees, bowed in humble reverence, obedience and dependence on Him.

One of the reasons we’re so worn out with life is because our knees aren’t!

Missionary Arthur Matthews once said, “We made it to China on our knees,” and that sentence summed up his entire missionary career. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote in his studies on the Sermon on the Mount: “Prayer is beyond any question the highest activity of the human soul. Man is at his greatest and highest when upon his knees he comes face to face with God.”

John MacArthur said, “As we look out on the masses of lost humanity, the enormity of the need should drive us to our knees in evangelistic prayer.”

Warren Wiersbe said, “Sins that ought to send us to our knees weeping are now acceptable recreation.”

The late Gypsy Smith used to tell of the conversion of his Uncle Rodney. Among gypsies, it was not considered proper for a child to address his elders unless spoken to, so young Gypsy prayed and waited for an opportunity. One day, the boy’s uncle took note of Gypsy’s worn trousers.

“Laddie,” said Uncle Rodney, “how do you account for the fact that the knees of your trousers have worn nearly through, while the rest of the suit is almost like new?”

The boy answered, “I have worn the knees through praying for you, Uncle Rodney.” Then he added with tears, “I want so much to have God make you a Christian!” Uncle Rodney put his arm around Gypsy in a fatherly embrace; and a few moments later, he fell on his knees, confessing Christ as his Savior.

It’s great to have good habits, high hopes, bold strategies, deep pockets and passionate zeal. But nothing can replace humble hearts, bent knees, and worn out pants.

Do your knees give off signs of life?

Like a California miner, let’s each declare: “I do most of my work on my knees.”

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Dr. Jeremiah is the founder of the radio and television program "Turning Point for God," and senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, Calif. For more information on Turning Point, visit www.DavidJeremiah.org