Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 6, 2011

“Heaven is My throne … But to this one I will look …”

Today’s devotion comes from Acts 7:44-50.
 
“44  “Our fathers had the tabernacle of testimony in the wilderness, just as He who spoke to Moses directed him to make it according to the pattern which he had seen. 
                                 
 45  “And having received it in their turn, our fathers brought it in with Joshua upon dispossessing the nations whom God drove out before our fathers, until the time of David.
                          

 46  “David found favor in God’s sight, and asked that he might find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.

 47  “But it was Solomon who built a house for Him.

 48  “However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands;  as the prophet says:
    49  ‘HEAVEN IS MY THRONE,
         AND EARTH IS THE FOOTSTOOL OF MY FEET;
         WHAT KIND OF HOUSE WILL YOU BUILD FOR ME?’ says the Lord,
         ‘OR WHAT PLACE IS THERE FOR MY REPOSE?
    50  ‘WAS IT NOT MY HAND WHICH MADE ALL THESE THINGS?’ ”  Acts 7:44-50.

——————————– 

In verses 49 and 50, Stephen quotes part of Isaiah 66:1-2.  We may be tempted to not check out Isaiah 66:1-2, thinking that we already know and fully believe that God is not small enough to be contained in any building.  But, if we did not check it out, we would miss the treasure of the last part of Isaiah 66:2.

“1  Thus says the LORD,
         “Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool
         Where then is a house you could build for Me?
         And where is a place that I may rest?
    2  “For My hand made all these things,
         Thus all these things came into being,” declares the LORD.
         “But to this one I will look,
         To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.”  Isaiah 66:1-2. 

Wow!  What an image and inspiration!  “him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word”!

Are we humble, contrite of spirit, and tremble at God’s word?

Or, are we proud, self-righteous, and rush through reading God’s word?

Do we slowly and carefully read each of God’s words as if each word had more value than a golden coin?

Or, do we show no remorse when we stumble reading God’s word?

Do we eagerly check footnotes for cross references to other Scriptures?

Or, do we have our own agenda and interpretation of God’s word cemented in our minds?

Do we read God’s word with joy and yet still feel “face-in-carpet” convicted by God’s word?

Or, does reading God’s word affect us like water off a duck’s back?

Isaiah 66:1-2 reminds me of Psalm 33:13-19.

“13  The LORD looks from heaven;
         He sees all the sons of men;
    14  From His dwelling place He looks out
         On all the inhabitants of the earth,
    15  He who fashions the hearts of them all,
         He who understands all their works.
    16  The king is not saved by a mighty army;
         A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
    17  A horse is a false hope for victory;
         Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.
    18  Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
         On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
    19  To deliver their soul from death
         And to keep them alive in famine.”  Psalm 33:13-19.

“1  The LORD reigns, let the peoples tremble;
         He is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth shake!
    2  The LORD is great in Zion,
         And He is exalted above all the peoples.
    3  Let them praise Your great and awesome name;
         Holy is He.”  Psalm 99:1-3.

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