Isaiah 66:2
For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
In verse one of our scripture, God reveals His majesty yet, in all His greatness, He seeks not the self-sufficient, but the humble: those with a poor and contrite spirit. A contrite heart is one that depends entirely on God, stripped of pride and self-righteousness, open to the transformation of His word. This is the kind of person God delights in, and continually pours in, for He cannot pour into a heart that is already full of itself.
King David shows us the contrite heart after his fall with Bathsheba. In Psalm 51:17, he cries out, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” David offered his shattered heart, and God received it. Humble yourself even to a place of a fool and receive God’s word.
The phrase “trembleth at my word” speaks of a deep reverence, awe, and immediate obedience to God. To tremble at His word is to recognize that when Scripture speaks, God Himself is speaking. As John 1:1 declares, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” When you hear the word, you are encountering God.
It’s very easy to become overly familiar with the word of God and His ways, and in that familiarity, men grow complacent. When your heart begins to say, “I’ve heard this before, I already know this, what more is there? I have really prayed?” This is a dangerous place, a self-satisfied, prideful heart that no longer reveres the voice of God. It is said, once you stop learning, you start dying. But as for you, continue in what you have learned… (2 Timothy 3:14). There’s more to discover, more to become, and more to reflect on of God’s nature.
Despite coming from a lineage of wicked rulers, King Josiah chose to follow the ways of his forefather David, trembling and responding to God’s word. (2 Kings 22:2). In 2 Kings 22:11-13, when King Josiah’s heard the Book of the Law read to him, he tore his clothes and immediately instructed his officials to seek more from the Lord. The hearing of God’s word did a work in King Josiah. It was not merely information, it transformed him. As a result, God responded with mercy: 2 Kings 22:19-20 “Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord. I also have heard thee, saith the Lord… thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place.
Before King Josiah heard the word, it had been lying lost and forgotten in the temple. He had earlier on sent his secretary, Shaphan, to the High Priest Hilkiah to tally money collected from the people to repair the Temple. While temple maintenance was ongoing, Priest Hilkiah discovered the sacred scroll. He handed it over to Saphan the King’s official who brought it to the King. The King responded with urgency and hunger, saying, “Go, inquire of the LORD for me.” And Saphan went to Huldah the prophetess and they communed with her.
Whenever you encounter God’s word, honour it. Respond to it. Because His word is never ordinary. Whether you’re in a quiet devotion or rushing through errands, when His word comes, respond and pursue more of it.
On the Mount of Transfiguration, when the disciples heard the voice of God, they fell on their faces in fear and awe: Matthew 17:5-6: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face and were sore afraid.
God’s word is not just a suggestion, it is absolute, alive, perfect and requires our complete attention. As you honor it, you become the very expression of it, Spirit and Life! Then, when you appear, Life flows. Glory is revealed. Through you, the Word becomes flesh once again.
Prophetic Utterance:
I have stored Your word deep within my heart, where it is my treasure and my guide.
My eyes continually behold of the wondrous things it reveals.
I am quickened according to your word.
I have set my path firmly in the way of truth.
Guiding text:
2 Timothy 3:16-17
¹⁶All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.