Verse of the Day 2/28

Verse of the Day 2/28

Isaiah 66:2   Everything is the product of My hand—My being and My doing—

        that's how all you see came to be; I made it all.
    Nevertheless, I am interested in and concerned about even just one person
        who is humble and downhearted and trembles at my word.    The Voice (VOICE)

I mention quite often in these posts that I follow a read through the New Testament plan and also read from the Old Testament and from the "wisdom literature" (Psalms through Ecclesiastes) each day.  It is a good thing but today's verse is a reminder that reading alone is not what is most important.  It is stopping, pausing and considering what is written.  If you don't do this it is like what is said of someone who doesn't listen, you've heard it "in one ear and out the other".  God's Word should be allowed to settle in our minds and be recalled during the day, perhaps mingled with songs that reinforce the message.

David and other writers of the Psalms often wrote "selah" at various points in the Psalms.  It means to stop and think calmly about that.  So it should be when we read God's Word and as we do so there will be things written that will literally shake us, cause us to tremble as we consider something written thousands of years ago by God through His prophets that still have an impact and apply in our lives today.

The Puritan writer, Thomas Brooks wrote, "Remember, it is not hasty reading--but serious meditating upon holy and heavenly truths, that make them prove sweet and profitable to the soul. It is not the bee's touching of the flower, which gathers honey--but her abiding for a time upon the flower, which draws out the sweet. It is not he who reads most--but he who meditates most, who will prove the choicest, sweetest, wisest and strongest Christian."

I encourage you to daily read God's Word and using a read through the Bible, New and/or Old Testaments in a year is a good thing.  But more importantly, take time to read slowly and thoughtfully to where you let it hit you and cause you to tremble at the thought the God is speaking to you through what you read.  Reading plans are tools but are not the goal itself.

The wise will hear Him and obey His word  Long and blessed will be their days upon the earth  The fool will perish in the folly of his ways  Do you tremble at the Word of God  Have you considered the scope of eternity  In the light of unwavering truth  Have you regarded the works of a strong and mighty hand  Do you tremble at the Word of God  CHORUS  At the Word of God  Yeah, do you tremble at the Word of God  Have you counted the stars in the heavens  Have you tamed the crashing mighty sea  Oh, do you tremble   (Do You Tremble - Wes King)    The New King James Version below, and others, speak of having a contrite spirit; one that is broken or crushed like mortar.  But mortar is then used to build anew.  David and Isaiah were the ones that used this word.  They are also people who knew what it meant.  They are also two of the most often quoted by Jesus and the New Testament writers.  Stop and think calmly about that.  

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Isaiah 66:1-4 New King James Version (NKJV)

True Worship and False

66 Thus says the Lord:

"Heaven is My throne,
And earth is My footstool.
Where is the house that you will build Me?
And where is the place of My rest?
² For all those things My hand has made,
And all those things exist,"
Says the Lord.
"But on this one will I look:
On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,
And who trembles at My word.

³ "He who kills a bull is as if he slays a man;
He who sacrifices a lamb, as if he breaks a dog's neck;
He who offers a grain offering, as if he offers swine's blood;
He who burns incense, as if he blesses an idol.
Just as they have chosen their own ways,
And their soul delights in their abominations,
⁴ So will I choose their delusions,
And bring their fears on them;
Because, when I called, no one answered,
When I spoke they did not hear;
But they did evil before My eyes,
And chose that in which I do not delight."