“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isaiah 57:17
“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.” Romans 3:27 Human pride and the work of the Holy Spirit have always been distinctly different, of different origins and ultimately, with different results. God dwells with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit, and revives the spirit of the humble and contrite ones. All man made religion has it’s foundation on self. It’s hope of salvation rests on the merits of self. It’s religious expression is a zealousness in proclaiming what one’s own self is and does. It’s spirit is in respect of that which is a demonstration and projection of it’s participants.
But in the exercise of that which has the consciousness of the Holy Spirit, there is a carefulness – “That no flesh should glory in his presence. That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:29,31 Thus, we know that the spirit of the humble, unassuming, has more sanction from heaven than those who are burning their own religious fires.
What man respects is different than what God respects. Man discredits him that is of a contrite and humble spirit. Man takes pleasure in that which is showy, boisterous, lofty, judgmental, assertive, loud, egotistical, sensational, preeminent, and self vindicated. Man criticizes the contrite and humble as being too dull, too poor, and too inferior, With God, however, those that exalt themselves shall be abased, and those that humble themselves shall be exalted.
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth they praise.” Psalm 51:17,15The need today is not for self assertiveness, but for prayerfulness unto being led and enabled by the Holy Spirit to both recognize when and what we are to do. We don’t need to try to make a name for ourselves. We don’t need to try to gain the admiration of others. We need to beware of reaching for positions wherein we think we are standing tall. Rather, we need a conviction of sin unto a belief that without Christ, we are nothing and can do nothing.
It is such a blessed release to reach the end of ourselves unto reaching forth for the grace of God to lift us up. It is turning from filthy rags unto beholding the glory of God. Only when we turn away from ourselves are we turned unto the Lord. This God will bless.
SHARING
