“But on this one will I look:

....    On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word” Says the LORD (Isaiah 66:2b). The NLT version of verse 2a brings out  well the context of this morning's verse, and helps explain the “but.” It reads “My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine.” In verse 1 “Heaven is my throne and the earth my footstool,” nevertheless “on this one will I look.” David has the same thought when He says “What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him” (Psalm 8:4). To put it another way the Lord is saying “in spite of my greatness, there are individuals on whom I will look.” The translators scramble to interpret the  Hebrew word translated here as  “look.”  Some have look with favour, others have esteem,  look favourably, or treasure,  or bless or show special favour. But whatever the precise meaning,  it is clear that this place in His sight, is a place to be desired.  

Perhaps Jesus had the next part in mind when He said “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). The words are also reminiscence of David's when he cries out in repentance  “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart. These, O God, You will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).  David had penned this shortly after Nathan had confronted him about his adultery,  and and about his attempt to cover it up, with the subsequent murder of Uriah. And no doubt David had trembled at that word! It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31).

It is something of a paradox, that the one who is of a  contrite spirit and who trembles at His Word is the safest of all, and the most blessed.  We get this wrong many time, coming far too casually into His presence,  or taking forgiveness and salvation for granted. The Scripture tells us that we saints are scarcely saved (“If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” -1 Peter 4:18). Part of the paradox is that on the one hand, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10),  and that perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18), on the other.

Father, I want to thank You this morning for the balance of Your Word.  We are fearfully and wonderfully made, yet since the fall we are fatally flawed. The safest place of all Lord,  is to stand in humility at the foot of the cross,  knowing that though we are flawed we are fully accepted in the Beloved.  Lord again, help us  to live in the tension of trembling at Your Word,  while resting on Your presence. And we will give You the praise and glory in Jesus Name Amen