Week of Monday January 13 – January 19
What God Looks For - Man as Provider


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 ESV


It was my honor to be a founding member of the Delta Force and train and command that elite group of warriors. When we evaluated candidates, we looked for essential qualities beyond the obvious requirements of exceptional physical fitness, unwavering courage, and mental toughness. A Delta Force operator also needed to demonstrate strong leadership and motivational skills, the ability to adapt to rapidly changing situations, and a high level of technical proficiency. Additionally, maintaining discipline, integrity, and situational awareness under extreme stress was essential. In short, we had a set of exacting qualifications for anyone wishing to serve in this role.


Isaiah 66:2 lists three qualities God values and expects of those who serve Him. The first of these qualities is humility. Scripture repeatedly tells us that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (Prov. 3:34; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). The word translated as “humble” here means poor, needy, or lowly. In this context, it means people who recognize their spiritual bankruptcy before God. That’s what Jesus meant by the first beatitude: “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matt. 5:3). A humble person realizes he is absolutely dependent on God.


The second quality God values and expects of those who serve Him is heartbrokenness. The word translated as “contrite” means crushed or afflicted, and it can also mean crippled or lame. In this context, it means intense brokenness: someone shattered over their sin. When Isaiah stood in the presence of Holy God, he was crushed and contrite, declaring: “Woe is me, for I am lost” (6:5). This reaction shows his recognition of his own sinfulness in the light of God’s perfection. This heart posture is what Jesus was referring to in the second beatitude: “Blessed are those who mourn” (Matt. 5:4). Whatever breaks God’s heart should break ours, and it should prompt us to repent. God is looking for those who are heartbroken over both their own sins and the sins of others.


The third quality God values and expects of those who serve Him is showing honor for His Word. The word translated as “tremble” literally means to quake or shake with fear. In this context, it means to be in a state of awe, honor, and reverence. God desires our respect, reverence, and responsiveness to His Word, which results in submissive obedience. That’s what Jesus was referring to in the third beatitude: “Blessed are the meek” (Matt. 5:5). Meek means submissive to the Master’s commands.


Jesus said: “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:23). Isaiah 66 begins with God essentially declaring “Heaven is my throne and earth is my footstool (verse 1), so no mere temple made with hands can contain me.” Yet, Jesus said he would make His home in the heart of one who trembles at His word.


Bottom Line: The Lord looks for those who are humble, repentant about their sin, and obedient to His Word. As Providers, we must model those qualities as we seek to provide a godly influence for those we love and lead. Our aim is to help them cultivate these traits, too.


- Are you a humble person? When you make mistakes, are you heartbroken over your own sin? Are you responsive to what God teaches you through His Word?
Would the people who know you best describe you as humble? Do others see your remorse over your sin and your sincere repentance? Do they see you submit to God’s Word with reverent obedience?
- Ask God to help you strive to meet His expectations and become one of those servants He looks to for an assignment.

Weekly Devotionals

DEVOTIONAL  ARCHIVE

PROVIDER

CHAPLAIN

BATTLE BUDDY

INSTRUCTOR

DEFENDER