38 lines
4.6 KiB
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38 lines
4.6 KiB
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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Day By Day By Grace
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Bob Hoekstra
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September 22
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<h1>More on God Dwelling with the Humble and Contrite</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>The LORD is <b>high above</b> all nations, and His <b>glory above</b> the <b>heavens</b>. Who is like the LORD our God, who <b>dwells</b> on <b>high</b>, who <b>humbles Himself</b> to behold the things that are in the <b>heavens</b> and in the <b>earth</b>? He <b>raises</b> the <b>poor</b> out of the <b>dust</b>, and <b>lifts</b> the <b>needy</b> out of the <b>ash heap</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Psa', 113, '4-7');">Psalm 113:4-7</a>)</div>
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<p>In our previous meditation, we considered the Lord's loftiness, coupled with His interest in man's lowliness. <i>"I <b>dwell</b> in the <b>high</b> and <b>holy place</b>, <b>with him</b> who has a <b>contrite</b> and <b>humble spirit</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Isa', 57, '15-15');">Isaiah 57:15</a>). In our present verses, we again see the Lord's desire to <b>dwell with the humble and contrite</b>.</p>
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<p>Our great God dwells in the heaven of heavens, ruling over all the nations of the world. <i>"The LORD is <b>high above</b> all nations."</i> His glory is even more majestic than the galaxies which He hung throughout the stellar heavens: <i>"His <b>glory above</b> the <b>heavens</b>."</i> There is no one in all the universe who could be likened unto Him. <i>"Who is like the LORD our God?"</i> Nevertheless, though He rightly inhabits the highest realms of existence, He is willing to consider our lowly estate and become involved in the affairs of humanity: <i>"who <b>dwells</b> on <b>high</b>, who <b>humbles Himself</b> to behold the things that are in the <b>heavens</b> and in the <b>earth</b>."</i></p>
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<p>From His high and lofty position, the Lord observes the family of man. He is <b>not</b> looking for the <b>boastful</b> and the <b>arrogant</b>. He is looking for the <b>humble</b> and the <b>contrite</b>. <i>"Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the <b>lowly</b>; but the <b>proud</b> He <b>knows</b> from <b>afar</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Psa', 138, '6-6');">Psalm 138:6</a>). Although our God is the creator of all the universe, He is looking for the spiritually bankrupt and those whose hearts are crushed. <i>"'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 <b>poor</b> and of a <b>contrite</b> spirit, and who <b>trembles</b> at <b>My word</b>'"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Isa', 66, '2-2');">Isaiah 66:2</a>). This last phrase gives a key characteristic of those who are truly humble and contrite. They respond with reverence when hearing God's word.</p>
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<p>What does the Lord desire to do for the humble and contrite? He wants to bring <b>spiritual restoration</b>: <i>"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will <b>revive</b> me"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Psa', 138, '7-7');">Psalm 138:7</a>). Our great God is a God of compassion. He wants to restore the crushed heart. <i>"The LORD is <b>near</b> to those who have a <b>broken heart</b>, And <b>saves</b> such as have a <b>contrite spirit</b>…He <b>heals</b> the <b>broken-hearted</b> and <b>binds up</b> their <b>wounds</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Psa', 34, '18-18');">Psalm 34:18</a> and <a onClick="return mV('Psa', 147, 3);">147:3</a>). Our mighty, compassionate Lord <i>"<b>raises</b> the <b>poor</b> out of the <b>dust</b>, and <b>lifts</b> the <b>needy</b> out of the <b>ash heap</b>."</i></p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Creator of heaven and earth, I am amazed that You are interested in me. I want to be numbered among the humble and contrite. I have nothing by which to commend myself to You. I only bring a heart that is broken by a multitude of agonies and impossibilities. Please revive me by Your grace, through Jesus Christ, my Lord, Amen.</div>
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<a href="./devotions/daybyday/09/0921.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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