Thus says the Lord:
“Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool;
what is the house that you would build for me,
and what is the place of my rest?
All these things my hand has made,
and so all these things came to be,
declares the Lord.
But this is the one to whom I will look:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit
and trembles at my word.” Isaiah 66:1-2
The ‘end’ of things. What is it that God will really recognize? Who are the ones He ‘sees’? God will see and judge who really has a ‘humble and contrite’ spirit, and who is prideful and selfish, and who is just going through the motions for ‘show’, and who blaspheme Him.
Our serious question to ourselves must really be — what our real motivation is? What is it we are seeking for our validation? Is our heart really in pursuit of God, or is our main desire in pursuit of things for ourself? How do we stay in the ‘right track’ with Him? If you read further in this chapter in Isaiah you will see how God feels about the religious rituals and sacrifices made for just ‘show’. Are we going to a “Church’ just to placate our souls, or so we can ‘think’ we’re a ‘good’ person? Many do the same thing with their money, giving so that others will see their ‘good works’ and ‘dedication to God’, when their actual heart is far from Him.
Are you ready to face Him …and have the contents of your entire life poured out before Him and be put to the fire? Most honestly cringe at the thought. How one responds to that very real scenario — will tell them their readiness. Who will help us stay on the right path? Who will give us what we need for the journey till we take that final step into .. eternity?
There is only One. The Holy Spirit …who points us always to Jesus. He arranges what we need to accomplish what He wants for us. The Holy Spirit provides His fruit, and His gifts, and His strength to those who ask Him. He reveals our hearts — and gently convicts us and points us to repentance and confession before Jesus and the Father. He then washes us with His Word.
This is why His ministry and life within you is SO important. This is why this relationship with Him is so vital to our spiritual health and maturity. This is why we need to learn to pray WITH Him praying His heart for yourself and others. This is why you must learn how to recognize Him. Because once you’ve well discerned His Voice in your life — you will NEVER be the same again. He will finally take His rightful place in your life – and help you with ALL of life’s issues and decisions. He will show you and teach you the Living Word. He will show you many things. He will explain the heart of God as far as you can understand at that moment.
This writer’s aim is always to get the reader to learn about the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life. To know that His work — is for you to know who Jesus really is. To know and understand your relationship with your Creator.
Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you today. Speak to you. Fill you today with His Presence. Give you what you need today. Humbly come before Him and … open your heart.