Isaiah 66:2 - God Seeks Humble, Repentant People Who Love and Obey His Word.

Isaiah 66:2 (NLT)  My hands have made both heaven and earth, and 
they are mine. I, the LORD, have spoken! "I will bless those who have 
humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word.  

Isaiah 66:2 (CWB)  Haven't I created the whole universe and 
everything in it?  Didn't I speak, and all creation came into being?  What 
I really look for are those who are humble and penitent in spirit, 
who listen in awe to my word and are eager to do my bidding. 

THERE ARE BASICALLY TWO WAYS OF LIVING:

These key verses summarize Isaiah's message. He contrasted two 
ways of living: that of humble persons who have a profound reverence 
for God's messages and their application to life, and that of those 
who choose their own way. The sacrifices of the arrogant were only 
external compliance. In their hearts they were murderers, perverts, and 
idolaters. God shows mercy to the humble, but he curses the proud and 
self-sufficient (see Luke 1:51-53). Our society urges us to be assertive and to 
affirm ourselves. Don't let your freedom and right to choose lead you 
away from God's pathway to eternal life.  [Life Application SB re vv. 
2, 3] 

Why does God speak of those who are "contrite in spirit" in 
Isaiah 66:2, and then mention people who `have chosen their own ways in 
verse 3? These key verses summarize Isaiah's message. He contrasted 
two ways of living: that of humble persons who have a profound 
reverence for God's messages and their application to life, and that of 
those who choose their own way. The sacrifices of the arrogant were 
only external compliance. In their hearts they were murderers, 
perverts, and idolaters. God shows mercy to the humble, but he curses the 
proud and self-sufficient (see Luke 1:51-53). [The One Year Bible 
Companion re Isa.66:2] 

LIVING HUMBLY WITH CONTRITE HEARTS:

Although God's power is universal and sovereign, he has chosen 
to associate with his human creatures who are humble and contrite. 
[Cambridge Annotated SB re vv. 1-6]  

What satisfaction can the Eternal Mind take in a house made with 
men's hands? God has a heaven and an earth of his own making, and 
temples of man's making; but he overlooks them, that he may look with 
favour to him who is poor in spirit and serious, self-abasing and 
self-denying; whose heart truly sorrows for sin: such a heart is a living 
temple for God. [Matthew Henry Commentary] 

LIVING WITH RESPECT AND OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S LAW:

Do you tremble when God speaks? When was the last time you were 
physically affected by the reality that almighty God just spoke directly to 
you? John lost all physical strength when God spoke to him (Rev 
1:17); Paul fell to the ground when Christ met him on the road to 
Damascus (Ac 9:4); Moses trembled when God spoke to him (Ac 7:32); and 
Peter, when he realized who Jesus was, "fell down at Jesus' knees, 
saying, 'Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!'" (Lu 5:8).  
Have you lost your sense of awe that the Creator still chooses 
to speak to you, His creation? Do you approach the reading of your 
Bible with a holy expectation, listening for the life-changing words 
that God has for you that day? Scripture says that "The fear of the 
Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Pr 9:10). There are things you will 
see and hear out of your fear and reverence for God that you will 
not experience in any other way.  
As you study your Bible, you may sense that God has something to 
say directly to you through the verses you are reading. Take a 
moment to consider the awesome reality that the God who spoke and 
created a universe is now speaking to you. If Jesus could speak and 
raise the dead, calm a storm, cast out demons, and heal the incurable, 
then what effect might a word from Him have upon your life? The 
possibilities should cause you to tremble! The next time you open God's Word, 
do so with a sense of holy expectation. [Experiencing God Day by 
Day by Henry and Richard Blackaby re Isa. 66:2] 

The creative energy that called the worlds into existence is in 
the word of God. This word imparts power; it begets life. Every 
command is a promise; accepted by the will, received into the soul, it 
brings with it the life of the Infinite One. It transforms the nature 
and re-creates the soul in the image of God.  {Ed 126.4}   
The life thus imparted is in like manner sustained. "By every 
word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4) shall man 
live.  {Ed 126.5}   
The mind, the soul, is built up by that upon which it feeds; and 
it rests with us to determine upon what it shall be fed. It is 
within the power of everyone to choose the topics that shall occupy the 
thoughts and shape the character. Of every human being privileged with 
access to the Scriptures, God says, "I have written to him the great 
things of My law." "Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee 
great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." Hosea 8:12; Jeremiah 
33:3.  {Ed 126.6}   

CONCLUDING THOUGHT:

God will respond to us when we follow these key principles: the 
humility to acknowledge our faults, the willingness to turn from and deal 
with our wrongs (contrite heart), and a desire to do what is right, 
no matter how difficult (tremble at God's Word).  There is a double 
blessing when we follow these principles: we are able to overcome, and we 
are able to share in God's Kingdom.  [Life Recovery SB]