Mediator 4

Isaiah 66:2

I spent seven years teaching in public schools and I can tell you that it is true that teachers learn the names of troublesome students much sooner than those of the quieter, more obedient students. It is usually not a good sign when a teacher knows your name early in the school year. I tried to be fair and even-handed in my discipline and in my treatment of students, but I must confess I preferred those students who were not a problem in the class. They were the ones who earned my favor and received lenient treatment.

The Book of Isaiah has many messages from God for His people. Today’s passage is a brief comment from the Almighty. What reminder does God give in His rhetorical question? What type of person does God prefer?

In my own times of frustration and aggravation I have raised my voice to God. I have complained when things did not go my way and I was quick to remind the Lord how obedient and good I have been. But the fact is that all my goodness is nothing in the eyes of God.

Whenever we approach our Lord, in times of communion, in times of prayer, in times of worship, we must remind ourselves of how great and vast God is. He has created all things and holds sway over all the earth.

If we desire to make that connection with God, if we desire forgiveness, if we desire to enter into a strong, spiritual relationship with God, we must approach God in humility. We need to have a contrite heart – humble and seeking forgiveness.

And as we approach God we must remember that it is Jesus Christ who makes it possible for us to be in the presence of the Almighty. It is through the atoning sacrifice – the removal of our sins through the crucifixion – that we may be blessed by God.

The celebration of Holy Communion is a time to remember that Jesus acts as our mediator, opening the door for us to receive God’s love and mercy. It is through Christ that we can be forgiven and receive grace from God. It is important that we come to the Lord not with boasting or arrogance, but with a contrite spirit, humbly acknowledging all the blessings of our heavenly Father.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you remind yourself daily to be humble before God?

Helper 5

Isaiah 57:15

There is a man we know, a friend of a friend, whom we encounter a few times each year at parties. The best way I can describe him is that he is a “blow-hard.” He seems to need to be at the center of attention. He inserts himself into almost every conversation, and comes across as an expert in every subject, even when he is talking to someone who IS an expert in that subject.

There is nothing really wrong with the man. We just find him unpleasant because of his attitude. If he could tone himself down, even a little, become a bit more humble, he would be much easier to be around.

Having a pushy, arrogant, or demanding attitude with people can really put others off. The same is true of God. Isaiah has a message from God for all people. Where does God exist? What will God do?

We have seen the problems of having an arrogant attitude when approaching God in the story of the Canaanite woman (Matthew 15). Jesus wants us to call on him for help, but we need to be humble.

We have been reminded that we should desire to be in the presence of God (Psalm 42). We need to seek the Lord at all times.

Now we can see what God desires.

God is not only a god of the high and lofty places. He is not only the Almighty, everlasting Lord. He is also the God who desires to be with us, His children. But it is clear that we should be humble in His presence.

God is with those who are broken hearted, those with a broken spirit, those who earnestly seek forgiveness because they are aware they have done wrong. This is the very meaning of contrite.

We are to be contrite before God, humble and penitent. If we come to God for help with an attitude of humility and need God will lift us up. It is His desire to revive us when we are oppressed with problems and troubles. It is His desire to renew our spirits, to re-invigorate our failing hearts when we are confronted by problems.

We need to remember that we should come to the Lord in our times of trouble, but we cannot approach God with arrogance. Nor can we demand His help. Rather, we need to be contrite and trust that the Lord is eager to lift us up out of our troubles and set things right again.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What is your attitude when seeking God’s help?

Brokenness 5

Isaiah 57:15

As a child of about ten or eleven I did not understand God at all and had trouble grasping many concepts. It became a joke in my Sunday school class when I did not comprehend the statement that God was everywhere. My teacher would greet me each Sunday by asking, “Did you see God this week?”

I would answer, “Yes, I saw him standing on the street corner.”

I was being facetious, but now I think I was fairly accurate.

In today’s reading, who is being quoted? Where does God live? What does His presence do?

God is everywhere. There is no place in heaven or on earth where God is not. He exists in the grand and lofty mountains of the earth. He exists in the vast waters of the oceans and the breath-taking vistas of fields and forests.

We can encounter God in the exciting and dramatic moments of our life when we are absolutely certain His hand is upon us. We can sense His presence in the quiet and the holy places of retreat. He lives in the complex relationships of life and in the simple moments of love.

But we must always remember that He also lives within those who have a humble heart or a broken spirit. Though we may feel low and worthless, though we may feel that we have no value, still God is within us. We may feel that we are broken people, broken by others, broken by life. Or we may be broken and contrite of our own will, submitting ourselves to the Lord.

No matter where we are He is there to lift us up. God is present to revive us, to give us strength and to give us a new spirit.
If you are broken and contrite, if you are alone or in a crowd, if you are elated or sad, God is present. Let Him pick you up and carry you to His table of love and mercy.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord for revival.

Brokenness 4

Psalm 51:16-17

I was once told about a florist shop that had a display in their window featuring a single rose, two roses, six roses, a dozen roses and two dozen roses. The sign in the window asked “How mad at you is she?”

So many times when we have offended another our first thought might be of how we can make it up to the other person. Often times we want to pave the way to reconciliation through gifts. We want to buy our way out of trouble.

But God has a different set of values. What does God NOT want? What does God want?

In our human relationships we shouldn’t try to buy off the one offended. In most cases a sincere apology is all that is needed. We need to take a similar approach with God.

We are each invited into a relationship with God. All of us are welcomed to take part in the banquet of God’s mercy and love. He wants to be with us and He wants to provide for us. God wants us to be in relationship with Him and He will never end that relationship.

But when we come to the Lord’s table we should not come with hearts full of pride. We should not come with an attitude of haughtiness, a sense of arrogance in our own abilities. We should not come to the Lord’s table with a sense of privilege either, as if all of God’s graciousness is something we deserve. Nor should we have the attitude that we can earn a spot at God’s table.

Instead, we should have a broken spirit. This is not necessarily a sense of despair, although God promises to bind up the broken-hearted. Rather it is an awareness of our own unworthiness. A broken spirit is a spirit which has been broken of arrogance and selfishness. A contrite heart is a heart that is aware of our failings and short-comings.

We should come to the table with humility and an appreciation of what grace really means. All the love that God pours out to us is undeserved, yet He pours it out to us willingly and abundantly.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Is your heart contrite when approaching God? Is your spirit broken?