Tremble

“Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word,”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭66‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬.

Do we tremble at God's Word? Do we hear Him speak to us, yet think, “Not today, but I will tomorrow,” believing that’s okay?

This is not posturing ourselves before God with humility. We are not to boast or trust our way over God’s. Neither is this being contrite, thinking others are beneath us, or even thinking God is beneath us! Believing we actually know better than God, the Creator? This is definitely not hearing God with a trembling heart.

A trembling heart knows this: when we hear God we know that disobeying could mean silence on God’s part, or worse, God might give us over to our own way completely!

I know my own way. It's selfishness. It’s false humility. It’s manipulating. But I know God’s way, too. His way is love, kindness, receiving and giving mercy. He leads in the direction of right-doing. God's way will never lead me down a path of destruction. It will never lead me toward suicidal thoughts or actions. It will keep me from all destructive behavior mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. He is creating a clean heart and has renewed a right Spirit within me. His way is right and can indeed be trusted.

Because of God, I don’t think like I used to. Therefore, I don’t act like I used to. I’m still a sinner, and God is still “cleaning house,” but sins now are detected more quickly, and by grace, are removed instantly. As I listen to the Holy Spirit, I know I can trust Him. When I don’t, He reminds me that it’s wiser to listen. So, after those conversations, my heart is trembling. I want to listen to obey, because He's God.

God’s way will provide peace, strength in difficult times, and hope. God has offered His gift of eternal life. He has offered us fellowship! Not just fellowship with other believers, but with Himself!

Do we understand the gift of hearing God’s word? His voice? Do we understand the consequences when we don’t?

Our choices lay upon a two-sided sword—to obey brings ultimate hope, yet to disobey and refuse His word may bring the fulfillment of our own desires and fears.

”So I also will choose harsh treatment for them and will bring on them what they dread. For when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened. They did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me,“

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭66‬:‭4‬, ‭NIV‬‬.

The Word of God is sharper than any double-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12).

Walking with God feels at times like we are walking on the blade itself. Yet, God has shod our feet with righteousness. God has given us a foundation in Jesus for us to walk upon, and we will never be cut by the blade if we are walking with God.

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ,” I Corinthians 3:11, NIV.

We walk on the blade of righteousness, knowing that we are surrounded by the schemes of the devil taunting us to jump off and to join him on his broad path. The enemy promises we can have our own way and that nothing bad will ever happen to us. The enemy tells us that God is passive and doesn't mean what He says. Yet, we know the enemy is a liar.

We can actually stand firm in our choice to follow God and obey His Word, because we know we are also surrounded by His faithfulness and we are never alone. His company gives us strength when we are tempted to do our own thing and quit following God.

When was the last time you humbled yourself before God? When was the last time you trembled at His word?

Father,

We desire to walk with You, not away from You.

We desire to know Your Word and to obey it.

We desire to honor You, for You are so very worthy.

You and You alone know the future, and the direction we are headed. We trust You to lead us to it and lead us well.

Thank You. We are humbled just to be in Your presence.

Amen.