For when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened.  66:4

These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.  66:2

Am I among those who are humble, who are repentant and needy, who want desperately to hear the word of God?  Those who simply tremble when God speaks?

Or am I among those who close their ears to the word of God?

Isaiah encourages us to listen, to allow the word of God to shape our lives and to live and walk among people with hope, courage and zeal.

The past few days were a flurry of activities here. A funeral of a friend in Virginia, Income Tax preparation, appointments, and so forth.  My meditation time was somewhat crammed. Can you understand that?  For now, that is, for me, it is life as it is to be lived. I am active and busy with limited time to ponder the word of God.

I do, to be honest, like and enjoy the habit of spending time with the Lord every day. I find that to be very helpful. That is good in that it keeps me structured and focused. As I grow older, however, I find myself relying on my regular devotional habit, so to speak.   That is good, I will not deny that for a moment. But it has a snare – I find comfort in my habit – not in actually walking in the light with Jesus and opening myself to stand eagerly before the Lord, but enjoying my “spiritual habit?”  My “precious time.” I do not think the Lord is even suggesting that I try to break that habit.  It is a blessed one.

However, as I was thinking of this a day or so ago my mind went back to Isaiah 66.  God does not despise my spiritual habit but he reminds me of what really matters.

Who does God look upon with favor?  Surely those who are humble, those with contrite hearts, those who tremble at his word, in his presence. God knows what is in our hearts, even better than we ourselves do.

So I live in that reality in the ebb and flow of daily life.  God knows. And I know he knows. Our fellowship is constant, always there, always directing and always providing focus. What a way to live this life on earth!! May I never waver in my devotion to Him. He will never leave me.  Of that I am certain.

Lord, grant me the grace to be humble, broken in spirit and  ready to tremble as I reflect on God’s Word and the free gift of grace.

God bless all you tremblers.