Verse of the Day Devotion.  Isaiah 66:2 

“For My hand made all these things, thus all these things came into being, declares the LORD. But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.” – Isaiah 66:2 

Again, we see ‘the heavens and the earth’, the last time was in the previous chapter. “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.” Isaiah 65:17. In Isaiah 66:1, He is not necessarily speaking of a new one, but simply the idea of the heavens and earth. Now, the first time this phrase appears is in the first verse in the Old Testament as He speaks about the original creation. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1. Now, in all three of these, it speaks of ‘everywhere’, for there is nothing outside of the heavens and earth in His creation. And everything is His temple, for it says, “Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool.” Isaiah 66:1a.

Therefore, the Lord asks “And where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest?” Isaiah 66:1b. The reference to God’s throne and house is somewhat confusing. This appears to be a quotation or a reference to a previous statement that God’s presence cannot be limited to Solomon’s temple. “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain Thee, how much less this house which I have built! Yet have regard to the prayer of Thy servant and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to listen to the cry and to the prayer which Thy servant prays before Thee today; that Thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, toward the place of which Thou hast said, ‘My name shall be there,’ to listen to the prayer which Thy servant shall pray toward this place. And listen to the supplication of Thy servant and of Thy people Israel when they pray toward this place; hear Thou in heaven Thy dwelling place; hear and forgive.” 1 Kings 8:27-30. Solomon says that there is no way the temple they have built can contain Him, for the highest heaven cannot. It seems to mean the heaven in its most extended compass. Solomon combines with his belief in Yahweh’s special presence in the temple, the strongest conviction that He is no local or finite deity but is ever present everywhere. Then Isaiah continues, speaking for God, “For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being, declares the LORD. But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.” Isaiah 66:2. We may want to build God something, but what can we build that is worthy of God? Instead, what God really wants from us is a poor and a contrite spirit, and to tremble at His word. Contrite is literally ‘lamed’ or disabled, here used with spiritual significance: one who is aware of the damage wrought by sin, of personal inability to stand upright before God.

I want to end this devotion with a quote from Charles Spurgeon. “Are you one of those who trembles at God’s word? “They tremble at the searching power of God’s Word. Do you never come into this place and sit down in the pew, and say, ‘Lord, grant that thy Word may search me and try me, that I may not be deceived’? Certain people must always have sweets and comforts; but God’s wise children do not wish for these in undue measure. Daily bread we ask for, not daily sugar.” What Charles is asking is does God’s word make a difference in us? When we go to church, do we simply sit in a pew or chair and listen, or do we take what is in God’s word and examine our lives, seeing if we need to make any changes in order to please God with our lives. Too many attend church so they can say the attended church. However, we should attend church in order to learn where we do not live up to what God wants and make any changes necessary to become who He desires us to be, as well as giving Him all the praise, glory, and honor we can give Him, which is what He so deserves.  Let us look at our time in church not as something simply to do, but as a time to honor Him with our obedience and worship. The church is not His throne or temple, it is where we can focus our attention and focus on Him. It is for His people to come together and worship Him and support each other. What could be better?

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries,