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Text: Psalm 113
Comparing gods
- Who is like unto the LORD our God?
- The gods of the world are supposed to be high gods. They are elevated above man, at least the people that worship them think they are. But one of the things that is so profound about the God of the Bible is his presence is not only high and exalted, but His presence is with the lowly and humble. This is not a normal, worldly way of thinking. He found the LORD in humility. She found the LORD in her need
- Comparative religion class should consider this.
Elihu explains that this is God’s approach to man in Job 33:26-30.
David understands this about the LORD
- The LORD is attracted to this spirit in Psalm 34:18, The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
- The LORD can’t resist a contrite heart in Psalm 51:17, The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Solomon picked up the truth in Proverbs 3:34, Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. (Peter and James will cite this Proverb as well)
Isaiah knew this about God
- Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
- This is what hospitality toward God looks like. This is how you make your Creator welcome in your life.
- Isaiah 66:1-2 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? 2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
- Your responsibility to the LORD is get where God is. Where is the LORD? You’ll find Him in humility. This is the home a man builds for God.
Jesus would preach this truth in Matthew 5:3
Paul would say it in Philippians 2.
James preached it in James 4:8-10
Peter preached the same thing in 1 Peter 5:5-7
So the Spirit behind the words of the Bible wants the reader to understand this is a theme throughout history because this is a characteristic of God Almighty. He lives high above all things. But he is at home with the humble and lowly in spirit, and needy.
