A Contrite Spirit
God looks favorably upon those with a contrite spirit, a broken and repentant heart that He can work on and revive.
David Wilkerson explores the theme of a contrite spirit, emphasizing that God favors those who are humble and broken-hearted, like Jacob, despite his flaws as a deceiver. He contrasts Jacob's genuine reverence for God's Word with Esau's hard-heartedness and superficial repentance. Wilkerson highlights that God looks beyond outward appearances and seeks a heart willing to change and be revived. The sermon underscores the importance of recognizing our need for God and the transformative power of a repentant spirit. Ultimately, it calls believers to cultivate a heart that trembles at God's Word and seeks His guidance.
Text
Why did God look so favorably upon Jacob, a deceiver? We read in Isaiah: "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" (Isaiah 57:15).
This passage describes a man who, like Jacob, is dejected, on the run, and God is reviving him, blessing him, honoring him. Isaiah adds: "But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word" (Isaiah 66:2).
We know that humans consider the outward appearance, but God always looks at the heart. We can see only Jacob's covetousness, greed and manipulation. But God saw beyond his flesh and into something within his heart -- a contrite, broken spirit. God knew that something in Jacob's heart was willing to be changed.
That is exactly what God is looking for in us. He looks for a broken, repentant heart He can work on. He cannot do anything with an Esau type, who takes the things of God for granted and weeps phony tears of repentance. Esau was sensual and his heart was hard. He was like many Christians today, floating through life with no purpose, wanting only to enjoy sensual pleasures along the way.
Jacob revered God's Word. How do I know this? Think about it: Jacob must have heard his father, Isaac, repeatedly tell the story of how God had made a covenant with Jacob's grandfather, Abraham. He heard of the time Isaac was laid upon the altar to be slain, but when Abraham lifted the knife, God stopped him and showed him a lamb to be used for the sacrifice. Finally, Jacob also heard of the holy seed that was to come from the patriarchal lineage.
In addition to all this, Jacob's mother probably reminded him of the dream God had given her -- that Jacob would be the holy seed. Jacob must have thrilled at the thought that one day he would be the head of the clan, carrying the torch of the lineage through which the Messiah would come!
Sermon Outline
- God's Favor on the Contrite Spirit
- Description of the Contrite Spirit
- God's Focus on the Heart
- The Difference Between Jacob and Esau
Key Quotes
“God looks for a broken, repentant heart He can work on.” — David Wilkerson
“God saw beyond his flesh and into something within his heart -- a contrite, broken spirit.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We should strive to have a broken, repentant heart that is willing to be changed by God.
- We should reverence God's Word and let it guide our lives.
- We should not take God's things for granted, but rather be grateful and humble.