Day Six: That we would receive God’s word humbly
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 66:2 ESV)
Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:21 ESV)
There is a way in which a church can receive the Word which is counter-productive. It is one thing to receive the Word as a humble Berean, searching the Scriptures to see if what is being said is so. It is quite another to be an arrogant soul hiding behind the illusion of being a Berean, but in reality we are no better than a Monday-morning quarterback. In these moments we are doing what Soren Kierkegaard called “defending oneself against God’s Word”. We must hear God’s Word with a humble posture; a trembling posture which comes to grips with our own sinfulness and finitude. But also the posture of a meek lamb—desperately dependent upon the Lord to feed us. Pray today that our church would not only be passionate about mastering God’s Word but that we would be equally passionate about being Mastered by God’s Word.
Father, break us where we need broken and heal us where we need healed. We want to receive your word with humility. Every good and perfect gift comes from you and so we are dependent upon you for the blessing of truly receiving your Word. Lord, rescue us from our foolish defense of ourselves. Help us to see that because of Jesus we do not have to hide from the work of your Word. Your Word incarnate is our lone defense. May we rest in him and humbly receive the Word you’ve placed in our heart. Amen.
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For a wonderful treatment of James 1:21 you are encouraged to read the first couple chapters of Soren Kierkegaard’s work, For Self-Examination.
