This is the one I esteem:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit,
and trembles at my word.
Isaiah 66:2
he who is humble and contrite in spirit,
and trembles at my word.
Isaiah 66:2
We would be wise to consider this simple list. If God tells us what he values - if God reveals what exactly he esteems - then we should probably strive to be like that.
So what does God value? What kind of person does God esteem?
So what does God value? What kind of person does God esteem?
First, God esteems a humble person. That sounds easy, but it may be the hardest thing: humility. Am I a humble man?
Second, God esteems someone who is contrite in spirit. Not merely humble, but broken, acquainted with sorrow, remorseful, penitent, willing to admit and own our guilt. Maybe the phrase "poor in spirit" comes close - spiritually bankrupt and aware of it. Am I contrite in spirit?
Third, God esteems someone who trembles at his word - someone reverent before what God says, eager to hear, respectful, attentive, submissive. Not necessarily afraid of God's word - but in awe before it. Do I tremble at God's word?
In one sense, it's a pretty simple list. We aren't really asked to do great things or master difficult tasks.
On the other hand, what could be more difficult than this? God is asking prideful, self-sufficient, self-centered people . . . to be humble, to be contrite in spirit, and to tremble at what he says.
In order for that to happen, we would have to become different people - which is probably the point.
But if this is what God esteems, then we would be fools not to live this way.
Second, God esteems someone who is contrite in spirit. Not merely humble, but broken, acquainted with sorrow, remorseful, penitent, willing to admit and own our guilt. Maybe the phrase "poor in spirit" comes close - spiritually bankrupt and aware of it. Am I contrite in spirit?
Third, God esteems someone who trembles at his word - someone reverent before what God says, eager to hear, respectful, attentive, submissive. Not necessarily afraid of God's word - but in awe before it. Do I tremble at God's word?
In one sense, it's a pretty simple list. We aren't really asked to do great things or master difficult tasks.
On the other hand, what could be more difficult than this? God is asking prideful, self-sufficient, self-centered people . . . to be humble, to be contrite in spirit, and to tremble at what he says.
In order for that to happen, we would have to become different people - which is probably the point.
But if this is what God esteems, then we would be fools not to live this way.