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.
Hear the word of the Lord , you who tremble at his word: “Your brothers who hate you and cast you out for my name’s sake have said, ‘Let the Lord be glorified, that we may see your joy’; but it is they who shall be put to shame.
“The sound of an uproar from the city! A sound from the temple! The sound of the Lord , rendering recompense to his enemies!
Isaiah 66:1-2, 5-6 ESV
One type:
Humble, contrite and trembles at the Word of God
Another type:
Hates others and “cast them out for my name’s sake” and that say ‘Let the Lord be glorified, that we may see your joy’
And it is of the first type that He says He looks to and is the house where He will rest. While it is the second type that will be put to shame. That the LORD would render what is due to His enemies.
You see, the first type are humble and broken, wondering how the LORD God Alimighty has use of a mere man or woman like themselves. And this is the heart that can be used by God. The first type has their eyes on God and tremble at His Word and the fearful realization that they fall short and that their only hope is in the mercy and forgiveness of God.
But the second type, they have eyes set upon themselves and upon others. They are accusers and even seek to stand in the way of the door they themselves will not enter and hinder others from entering. They are the judgemental, the religious – those who would speak and act in hateful ways, all the whole doing it as if in the name of the LORD. They are not quiet and peaceful and long-suffering, but they are quick to draw a sword against their brother to see him killed “in the name of their father” — because their father is a murderer and a liar just as they are.
Yes, the LORD sees what is hidden from the eyes of men, what is not covered by the Blood of the Lamb, He isn’t distracted by their outward appearances but knows a man’s heart and his desires and his intentions. Does this thought not render you humbled and repentant before a holy and righteous God? Then know your type if you say you hear His Word. If you indeed hear His Word, why do you not tremble?
Why do you not find yourself deeply reminded of the full value of Jesus Christ, slain on the Cross, victorious over death, and triumphant in His resurrection?
Where is your heart towards God?
Towards His Word?
Towards His people?
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34-35 ESV