Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Favorability

“I will look favorably on this kind of person: one who is humble, submissive in spirit, and who trembles at My word.” (Isaiah 66:2b)

“Favor” means an act of kindness bestowed on another person who needs it. An “unmerited” favor is the definition of God’s grace. So, Isaiah describes for us the kind of people who are the recipients of God’s grace, His unmerited favor.

One such person is someone who is humble. A humble person is one who would sit at the feet of Jesus listening to Him teach. That’s because the word “humility” means “teachability.” To be humble is to be a disciple, a life-long learner.

Another descriptor of one God graces is someone who is submissive in spirit. Another translation for the word “submissive” is actually “broken.” The idea is that this person is one who is not ego-centric and willful, but one who is willing to follow and willing to serve.

Then God graces one who trembles at His word. This is a person who has respect and reverence for truth and for the God who authored it. This suggests a person who has an absolute commitment to obedience.

God looks favorably at those who are teachable, who serve, and who obey.

Lord, May these descriptions be true of us each day. Amen.

No comments: