The Pilgrim Path---Isaiah 66: 1, 2

Thus says the LORD:

“Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?

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.”

“…THIS IS THE ONE TO WHOM I LOOK”

We like to say in the States that two things are certain: death and taxes. It is revealing that the Sovereign LORD of Glory declares that His gaze is secured by a “certain” type of individual. This is significant. First, the soul that is “humble” before the LORD. The word speaks initially of someone that has been afflicted in some way---and then has been pushed to the fringes by more potent forces within culture. In a spiritual sense, these are people ready to take the lowest place before God and for God (Motyer). Secondly, the LORD is drawn to the “contrite” in spirit. Actually, the lamed in spirit (II Samuel 4: 4; 9: 3). The spiritual sense is that of the wounds sin has caused in me---making me aware of my helplessness to please God (wow---I need grace and mercy all day---each day. Much thanks for the Gospel of Jesus). Thirdly, the LORD is drawn to the soul that “trembles” at His Word (Ezra 9: 4; 10: 3). This speaks textually of a longing to obey God’s Word. You personally come to Holy Scripture with a sense of awe and reverence.

Is the LORD drawn to You?

O LORD, send a Revival---and let it begin in Me…

From Raymond C. Ortlund, Jr: What God blesses is not buildings and liturgies and styles; what God blesses is a trembling heart. We can make even the Biblically authorized worship of the one true God into false worship in his sight. How? By doing all the “right” things, but not listening to his Word. What God blesses---and when this understanding enters our hearts, the blessings flow out upon us as we never dreamed possible---what God looks upon with favor is simple: a humble trembling at his Word, setting no preconditions (Acts 7: 44—53).

From Robert Murray M’Cheyne: “I know I am proud; and yet I do not know the half of that pride…”

From Charles Haddon Spurgeon: That demon of pride was born with us, and it will not die one hour before us. It is so woven into the very warp and woof of our nature, that till we are wrapped in our winding-sheets we shall never hear the last of it.

From Martin Luther: I am more afraid of pope “self” than of the pope in Rome and all his cardinals.

From Cotton Mather: I endeavored to take a view of my pride as the very image of the Devil, contrary to the image and grace of Christ; as an offense against God, and grieving the Holy Spirit; as the most unreasonable folly and madness for one who had nothing singularly excellent and who had a nature so corrupt…

From Jonathan Edwards: Pride is the main handle by which Satan grabs hold of Christian persons and is the chief source of all the mischief that he introduces to clog and hinder the work of God.

From Richard Mayo: Should that man be proud that has sinned as thou hast sinned, and lived as thou hast lived, and wasted so much time, and abused so much mercy, and omitted so many duties, and neglected so great means? ---that hath so grieved the Spirit of God, so violated the law of God, so dishonored the name of God? Should that man be proud, who hath such a heart as thou hast?

A repeat Message from Joel Beeke on “how” to subdue Pride:

---Seek a deeper knowledge of God. Nothing is so humbling as knowing God (Job 42; Isaiah 6 ).

---Meditate much on the solemnity of death, the certainty of Judgment Day---the vastness of Eternity!

---View each day as an opportunity to “forget” yourself and serve others. Service is innately humbling!

---Read the biographies of great saints…

---Remember daily that “pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16: 18). Pray daily for humility.

HYMN

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, LORD, that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ my God:

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to his blood.

Isaac Watts, 1707, 1709

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason