Humble and Contrite in Spirit
- Jerry Witham
- Jan 14, 2010
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“But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.” Isaiah 66.2b
Sunday we begin our month long focus on looking at a life that is completely surrendered to the Lord. This is the one that the Lord looks to, gazes upon, and has as the apple of His eye. According to Isaiah 66 the apple of His eye is those who are humble, contrite of spirit and who tremble at His word.
First, those precious in His eyes are those who are humble. The late South African Dutch Reform Leader, Andrew Murray, says that humility is simply the sense of entire nothingness, which comes when we see how truly God is all. Without this there can be no true abiding in God's presence, or experience of His favor and the power of His Spirit; without this no abiding faith, or love or joy or strength. Humility is the only soil in which the graces root; the lack of humility is the sufficient explanation of every defect and failure. Humility is not so much a grace or virtue along with others; it is the root of all, because it alone takes the right attitude before God, and allows Him as God to do all. Pride may die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you. Could you see what a sweet, divine, transforming power there is in humility, how it expels the poison of your nature, and makes room for the Spirit of God to live in you, you would rather wish to be the footstool of all the world than want the smallest degree of it (Humility). Jesus Christ is our model of humility. As we saw in our study of Philippians, He emptied Himself or made Himself nothing (Philippians 2.6). This is what God longs from us.
Second, those precious in His eyes are those who are contrite of spirit. To be contrite of spirit is to be broken. In fact, it is a bold brokenness that involves repentance. It is not simply being sorrowful and torn up over our sin. It also includes a willingness to change. This is exactly what we see with King David. David was not perfect. In fact, he was an adulterer, murderer and liar. Yet God calls him a man after His own heart. Why would David be called such? I believe it is because of his contrite spirit. David knew this is what God desired. After being confronted by Nathan, David prays for God to be gracious to him as he confesses his sin. David is broken over the fact that He has sinned against God. He knows that the Lord does not want Him to simply go through the motions and go offer sacrifices, but David realizes that his brokenness is to include repentance. David knows that the Lord desires this. In fact, David says, The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise (Psalm 51.17). David is a man after God’s own heart because he willing to change. This is what God desires from us.
The final thing that God finds precious to His eyes is one who trembles at the Word of God. We are going to ask the Lord to reveal what He means by this as we gather under the Word this Sunday. Some questions I want you to think about before this Sunday: Do you believe God’s Word is true? When are you reading God’s Word? Have you set a time aside each day to read His Word? Do you take time to reflect on God’s Word? How do you approach God’s Word? My prayer is that we would love, have a hunger for and tremble before God’s Word in 2010.
One last thing, be sure to arrive as the worship services start each week. We do know that there are times when circumstances cause us to be late, but we want to encourage you to be in the worship service when it begins. I encourage you to read and reflect on Exodus 34.2 as you prepare for this Sunday. I am looking forward to coming up with you to meet with the Lord and present ourselves to the Lord this Sunday morning.
