Resources/Articles
Getting God's Attention
Children have this need to be at the forefront of their parents’ affection. To make sure of this, a child may say, “Look, Daddy!” or “Watch this, Mommy!” or “Did you see what I did?” or “I made this for you!” Israel made an effort to do the same with their sacrifices and buildings. God asked them in Isaiah 66:1-2, “What manner of house will ye build unto Me? And what place shall be My rest? for all these things hat My hand made...” God just bursted Israel’s bubble. No building, program, miracle crusade, or hollow practice of piety will get God’s attention. What will turn His head? “But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit and that trembleth at My word” (Isaiah 66:2).
The Poor Man
Everyone needs to see as Paul humbly accepted, that man’s wisdom, boastful spirit, and persuasive words are NOT the power that impresses God, or that He might use to impress others (1 Corinthians 5:1-5). Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3). All men need to be reconciled to this fact. We are all spiritually bankrupt before God. Faith directed by God’s word which lovingly obeys His will is the answer to a holy relationship with the Father.
Proud looks and hardened spirits will not receive God’s attention. He urges everyone to receive with meekness the implanted word that they be saved (James 1:21). We are definitely poor when it comes to designing a spiritual guid to please God. No one has or can develop such a manual (Jeremiah 10:23). What man perceives is right leads to death (Proverbs 14:12). Once a person realizes his ways are unable to please God, he has no alternative but the grace, mercy, love, and will of God. All of those riches come as a result of one man becoming poor “that ye through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). When we realize our poor state, we will get God’s attention.
A Contrite Spirit
A contrite spirit is a broken spirit moved by one’s sins. We are moved to sorrow and moved to find a remedy. The selfish and proud never see what their sins do to them or to others. “What I do doesn’t hurt anyone!” they might say.
David best illustrates what a broken spirit is and what sin does to self and others. When you study Psalm 51:1-17, you will witness a person who needs help, not necessarily because he is caught in adultery, deception, and murder. He is moved to sorrow and a broken spirit because his sin has affected his relationship with God and others. It affected the whole nation of Israel (2 Samuel 12:12-14). David’s repentance is what got God’s attention. Penitent hearts always turn God’s eyes toward them. They see their guilt as what grieves God’s heart. They turn to the Lord with a godly sorrow for what they have done to the Creator (2 Corinthians 7:9-10).
A great illustration of this is found in Luke 18:9-14. It not only shows the selfish spirit of those who trust in themselves, it expresses the humble, lost spirit of a man who knows God is in a place higher than man. A publican looks up unto heaven crying, “God, be Thou merciful to me, a sinner” (v. 13). Jesus then stated how much attention God gives to this kind of spirit by saying, “...for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (v. 14).
Trembling at God’s Word
Trembling at the word of God is not agreeing with God in some areas of instruction and disagreeing with Him in other areas, as King Saul did (1 Samuel 15:1-23). Trembling at God’s word is agreeing with Him at all times. Trembling at His word is not saying, “Look, God! I came to worship today!” or “Watch God, I’m teaching a class!” Our obedience is not a display case before God, but is in all cases our effort to please Him in all things. This was Jesus’ attitude in John 8:29: “I do always the things that are pleasing to Him.” He was not flippant, indifferent, or critical of anything God asked of Him to do. There was no hesitancy or excuse given. Jesus knew God’s wisdom was full of patience, goodness, and truth. God never gave His Son nor us a statute which could not be completed. Question is, do we see the goal with each of God’s commands? His Son did.
When we attach honor to God’s majesty and glory, we will likewise attach respect to His words. We tremble at His word because of its power to create, judge, heal, save, and condemn. No words carry equal or greater power than God’s (Hebrews 4:11-12). The greatest honor we give God is when His word is read or spoken, and we let His word push out the world’s view and turn our wills over to His will. Such an attitude will get God’s attention.
