To Revive the Spirit of the Lowly

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To Revive the Spirit of the Lowly

Sometimes we forget  that we are  “children”  of God.      Because we are always  children  in God’s sight — no matter what our physical age — God disciplines us  according to His almighty wisdom  and love.      But,  because we are children,  we often don’t understand  the wisdom and love  of our heavenly Father’s discipline.      Instead,  we act  just as we acted  when our earthly fathers and mothers  disciplined us.

We might cry  that it’s not fair  because someone else  is more at fault  than we were.      We might feel unloved  and imagine  that a loving parent  would immediately give us  what we wanted.      We might  “test the waters”  by doing some other  act of defiance  and stubbornness.      But,  through it all,  we are not happy  and we are not at peace.      We know deep down  that our feelings  are sinful.

We,  as earthly parents,  can actually be wrong  in our judgment  of a matter  with our earthly children,  even though we love them dearly  and desire to do  what is right and good.      But,  God is never wrong  in any of His judgments.      Our opinions  of God’s judgments  are always based on  our feelings — and our feelings  can be very wrong  and misleading.      That is why  we need to settle down  and listen  to what our heavenly Father teaches us  in His word.      We need to see  the whole picture  for what it really is — and accept the eternal truths  of God’s love for us  in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 57  relates how the children of Israel  defied and disobeyed God.      Then,  our most holy,  heavenly Father  explains some facts  that exist in every situation,  in verses 15-21,

For thus says  the high  and exalted One
Who lives forever,  whose name  is Holy.
“I dwell  on a high  and holy place,
And also  with the contrite  and lowly  of spirit
In order  to revive  the spirit  of the lowly
And to revive  the heart  of the contrite.
For  I will not contend  forever,
Neither  will I always  be angry;
For the spirit  would grow faint  before Me,
And the breath  of those  whom I have made.

Because of the iniquity  of his unjust gain  I was angry  and struck him;
I hid My face  and was angry,
And he went on  turning away,  in the way  of his heart.
I have seen  his ways,  but I will  heal him;
I will  lead him  and restore comfort  to him  and to his mourners,
Creating the praise  of the lips.
Peace,  peace  to him  who is far  and to him  who is near”
Says the LORD,  “and I will  heal him.”

But the wicked  are like  the tossing sea,
For it cannot  be quiet,
And its waters  toss up refuse  and mud.
“There is no peace,”  says my God,  “for the wicked.”

God knows  how to “revive”  our hearts and spirits  when we are  humbly contrite  over our sinful natures.      God is fully aware  of our earthly weaknesses.      God’s application  of discipline  is always  tenderly wrapped  in the purpose of  “I will heal him;  I will lead him  and restore comfort  to him.”

When we accept  this disciplinary love of God  for our own good,  it will some day   create within us  “the praise of the lips”.      Some day  we will realize  how God’s discipline  is the most valuable act of love  that protects us  and leads us  to eternal salvation.      Then  we will be glad  and most appreciative.

But,  the wicked  will only stir up  all sorts of rebellious reactions  of hatred.      They will never know  the peace and rest  of God’s  restoring love.

Trusting God’s love  in Christ Jesus,  we say,  “Hallelujah!      Lord,  thank You  for teaching  and leading us  in the ways  of righteousness,  for our own good.”

Love,
Margaret

 

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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