Isaiah
I was really torn in Isaiah. There is so much going on in Isaiah from the first 39 chapters on Judgment to the final chapters 40-66 reflecting Israel’s salvation that I have at least 4 heart stopping verses. I chose to go with Isaiah 66:2
All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
For a brief overview of why I thought this so significant I think it’s not only important to see the context but how the context has developed. Like I mentioned the first 39 chapters are flat out judgment…not a pretty picture. The chapters 40-66 however reflect Israel’s salvation. In the first 9 chapters (40-48) it is salvation from Babylonian captivity. In chapters 49-57 it is salvation from sin (Think MESSIAH ). The last section builds to an eschatological end in dealing with salvation from future judgment. I found it really intriguing much like Solomon…”the end of the matter all has been heard” (Eccl 12;13). In other words let’s wrap this up and keep it simple, I’m God, I’ve made all this, But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
Humility and being contrite are easy enough to fake and misunderstand from an observable position. Trembling at His Word…not so much. This is revealed in our intake of God’s Word, our understanding of God’s Word and most importantly in the application of God’s Word. James says don’t be just hearers but doers. Jesus said my sheep hear my voice and they listen. Jesus also said you would prove to be my disciples by abiding in my word and you would know the truth and the truth would set you free.
So do you read God’s Word? Do you memorize and meditate on God’s Word? Most importantly do you do God’s Word. Jesus proclaimed rhetorically in Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me Lord, Lord and not do what I say?” If you’re not taking it in you certainly can’t be obeying it. If you’re not obeying it, today is a good day. As a pastor I know once said (he said it a lot) you can take many steps away from Christ but it’s only one step back in repentance. Repent, be that man or woman to whom the Lord will look.