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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.
Some time ago a pastor mentioned these words from Isaiah 66 should be seriously looked at when looking to someone to become a spiritual leader, namely, a pastor. I think he is right. And it is true that this should be seriously considered in that context, but it also applies to everyone else as well.
The first line of the proclamation is the most encouraging line for all people. God is in charge. He is in charge over the heavens and the earth. The word picture of calling the earth his footstool is amazing. In Old Testament thought, the footstool of God is often a description of the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies. Bear in mind this is where man was required to go if he were to commune with God. But here, the whole earth is his footstool. We are not required to go anywhere, for he is here. We think we must build some church building, and only there can we meet God. But that is simply false. He made the earth. He made the materials we use to build our churches. We cannot build anything adequate for him, anything that is sufficient to “house” God. I like how we often refer to the church building as the house of God. It isn’t. It is a meeting place for the Church to gather corporately to worship God. We cannot build him a house. He has already built one ~ the whole of creation, the heavens and the Earth.
How often do I think about what I can do for God? In reality, I can do nothing to help his cause that he cannot already do. It is not about what I do, but my attitude. I shouldn't do things because I can or I should, but because He has given me the opportunity and privilege.
Then think about the last line. When I read His word or hear it preached, do I pay attention to it with fear, reverence, and awe? Or have I started to treat it as another interesting book on the shelf? Or (especially in my case - being in seminary) has it become another textbook? These are tough words.
