Attitude

Attitude

I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word.

Isaiah 66:2

In the opening verses of Isaiah 66, God condemned outward show in worship. He said that he needed no temples built by human hands or sacrificial animals for food; rather, he desired repentant and believing hearts. God said that if a person brought an animal sacrifice without the proper attitude of repentance and faith, the sacrifice to him was an abomination that was as serious as murder!

The Life Application Bible contrasts two distinct groups of people: “. . . humble persons, who have a profound reverence for God’s messages and their application to life, with those who choose their own ways. God shows mercy to the humble, but he curses the proud and self-sufficient.”^a

God said that the person he blesses is the one who is “humble,” has a “contrite heart,” and “trembles” at his Word. In this day when our society encourages us to be assertive and look out for ourselves, we need God’s wisdom and help in balancing personal responsibility with dependence on God.

Humility is honored throughout the Bible. In Mary’s Magnificat, the same truth emerged: God scatters the proud but lifts up the humble. Contrite is a word we don’t often hear. A person who is contrite is sorrowful or remorseful over sin in his or her heart. As for trembling—does the truth of God’s Word ever bring tears to our eyes or cut our hearts to the quick? What a reminder for us—God blesses the humble!

Father,

Forgive us for our pride. Sometimes we make choices that take us in the opposite direction of humility and contrition. May we ask your forgiveness and turn to your Word so that we will value the attitudes that you value. Amen.