Has not my hand made all these things,
and so they came into being?” declares the Lord.
“These are the ones I look on with favor:
those who are humble and contrite in spirit,
and who tremble at my word (Isaiah 66:2)
Being humble and contrite in spirit as well as trembling (giving it first place in your life) at God’s word may be underrated in our current culture of self-dependence and showmanship. These are however powerful attributes that pulls down the favor of God into our lives. One of the meaning of contrite is naked, therefore being humble and contrite in spirit means having a spirit that is completely open to God’s word and will. This is the naked spirit Adam and Eve had before they sinned and which can be restored through redemptive work of Christ. It comes with numerous benefits a few of which are mentioned in Isaiah 66:5 -14
a. Putting your enemies to shame and repaying them for what they deserve
b. Inherit blessings without going through the pains required to obtain them
c. Receiving quick answers/manifestations
d. peace like a river
e. wealth of nations like a flooding stream
f. flourish like grass
In fact, spiritual warfare starts with submission to the Lord as stated in James4:6-7
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble.”[c]
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you
This broken spirit which was in Christ Jesus allows us to accept his will (Thy will be done in earth, Matthew 6:10), forgive (give up resentment against) our debtors (Matthew 6:12), do good to our enemies (Proverbs 25: 22) and resist compromises despite the short consequences (Esther 3:1-6).
Just as it was with Christ, there is a guaranteed blessing on anyone who possess the qualities in today’s scriptures.
Prayer
Father, replace any stony hearts in us with a humble and contrite spirits which you desire. Remember us with favor!
Scriptures for the day
Isaiah 66:1, 2, 5-15 ; James 4:6 -7; Matt 6 :9-13; 1 Peter 3:7 ; Proverbs 25:22; Esther 6:13