He Who Trembles at God's Word

Trembling at God’s Word

Introduction
We are grateful for our houses and the buildings where we worship, but God does not dwell in man-made structures. Isaiah 66:1–2 tells us that heaven is His throne and the earth His footstool. What God truly desires is a person with a humble and contrite spirit who trembles at His word. Tonight, we will look at what it means to tremble at God’s word, why it matters, and how it shapes our lives.

God Looks at the Heart, Not Structures
God made all things; He does not need mansions or temples built by men. What He seeks is reverence and humility. He wants His children to take His word with utmost seriousness. Just as fathers care about how their children respond to their words, our heavenly Father is deeply concerned about how we respond to His.

What It Means to Tremble at His Word
The word “tremble” means to shake, as seen in Judges 7 when fearful men returned home from Gideon’s army. But in Isaiah 66, trembling goes beyond physical fear—it is reverence for what God has said. Ezra 9–10 provides an example. God had forbidden intermarriage with pagan nations, yet the people, even their leaders, disobeyed. Ezra was appalled. Those who trembled at God’s word assembled in repentance, confessing their sin and making a covenant to put away their pagan wives. Trembling meant they took God’s command seriously enough to change.

Psalmist’s View of God’s Word
Psalm 119:120 says, “My flesh trembles for fear of You, and I am afraid of Your judgments.” Verse 136 adds, “Rivers of water run down from my eyes, because men do not keep Your law.” The psalmist grieved when others ignored God’s word. Trembling means standing in awe of it, never treating it lightly, and never trying to change it to fit our own desires.

Handling God’s Word with Reverence
Paul urged Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15–18 to rightly divide the word of truth. Twisting Scripture spreads like cancer, leading people astray. Proverbs 30:5–6 reminds us never to add to or take away from God’s word. Every word is pure, settled in heaven, and demands reverence.

The Heart That Trembles
Isaiah 66 calls for a humble, contrite heart. Psalm 34:18 teaches that God draws near to the brokenhearted. James 1:21 urges us to receive the word with meekness. A proud, rebellious heart cannot accept God’s truth. Trembling at God’s word means submitting with a soft and willing heart.

Love and Obedience Go Together
Jesus said in John 14:21, 23–24 that love for Him is shown by keeping His commandments. To tremble at God’s word is to love Him so deeply that obedience is the only response, even when it is difficult.

A Desire to Hear God’s Word
Nehemiah 8 shows the people standing for three hours as Ezra read the Law. They were attentive because they longed to know God’s will. That is the picture of trembling—hearing God’s word with eagerness and reverence. Psalm 2:11 captures it well: “Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”

Application for Us Today
Trembling at God’s word means we take every command seriously. When God says, “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16), we obey. When He commands repentance (Acts 2:38), confession (Romans 10:9–10), and faithfulness (Revelation 2:10), we listen. God’s word is not a suggestion—it is truth.

Sermon Outline: Trembling at God’s Word

Text: Isaiah 66:1–2

I. God Looks at the Heart, Not at Structures

God’s Throne and Footstool (Isaiah 66:1)
- Heaven is His throne; earth is His footstool.
- No man-made structure can contain Him (cf. Acts 7:48–49).
What God Desires (Isaiah 66:2)
- Not palaces or mansions.
- Seeks those who are humble, contrite, and who tremble at His word.
- Application: Worship buildings are useful, but God is far more concerned with the heart of the worshipper.

II. What Does It Mean to Tremble at God’s Word?

Definition of Tremble
- Hebrew word: to shake, quake, or physically move.
- Judges 7:1–3 – fearful men dismissed from Gideon’s army.
Spiritual Application
- Not physical fear, but reverent awe at God’s commands.
- Recognizing the seriousness of God’s authority.

III. Example: Ezra and the People of Israel

The Sin of Intermarriage (Ezra 9:1–2)
- Israel ignored repeated commands not to marry pagan women (Deut. 7:3–4).
- Even leaders were guilty.
Ezra’s Response (Ezra 9:3–4)
- Tore his garment, pulled hair from his beard—astonished and appalled.
- Those who trembled at God’s word gathered in repentance.
Repentance and Correction (Ezra 10:1–4)
- Public confession, covenant renewal.
- Willingness to act according to God’s law.
- Application: Trembling means letting God’s word change us, even when difficult.

IV. The Psalmist’s Example of Trembling

Personal Fear of God’s Judgments (Psalm 119:120)
- Flesh trembling for fear of God.
Grief at Disobedience (Psalm 119:136)
- Rivers of tears because men do not keep God’s law.
- Application: Do we grieve at sin in the world and in the church, or have we grown numb?

V. Reverence and Integrity in Handling God’s Word

Rightly Dividing the Word (2 Timothy 2:15–18)
- Be diligent to be approved by God.
- Avoid twisting, adding, or subtracting.
- False teachings spread like cancer (Hymenaeus and Philetus).
Every Word is Pure (Proverbs 30:5–6)
- Scripture is flawless, settled in heaven.
- Warning: Do not add to or take away.
- Application: Denominational traditions often twist God’s word—our responsibility is to hold to truth.

VI. The Heart That Trembles

Humble and Contrite Spirit (Isaiah 66:2)
- Opposite: proud, arrogant, stubborn.
- God resists the proud, gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
Near to the Brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18)
- God saves those with contrite spirits.
Receiving with Meekness (James 1:21)
- Soft hearts receive the word; hard hearts reject it.
- Application: The parable of the soils (Luke 8) shows the importance of heart condition.

VII. Love for God Equals Obedience

Jesus’ Words in the Upper Room (John 14:21, 23–24)
- Loving Jesus = keeping His word.
- Failure to keep His word = lack of love.
Practical Application
- Obedience even when inconvenient or difficult.
- Trembling means prioritizing God’s will above feelings, culture, or tradition.

VIII. Desire to Hear God’s Word

Example in Nehemiah 8:1–3
- People stood for 3 hours listening to Ezra read the Law.
- Attentive hearts showed deep hunger for truth.
Psalm 2:11
- Serve the Lord with fear, rejoice with trembling.
- Joy and trembling coexist when hearts are right.
Application
- Do we hunger for Scripture?
- Or do we grow restless if worship goes “too long”?

IX. Application for Today

Matters of Salvation
- Believe and be baptized (Mark 16:16).
- Repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38).
- Confess Christ (Romans 10:9–10).
- Remain faithful (Revelation 2:10).
Matters of Worship
- Worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24).
- No adding or subtracting from His plan.
Matters of Daily Living
- Speech, conduct, relationships all governed by God’s word (Colossians 3:17).

X. Conclusion

Trembling at God’s word means reverence, obedience, humility, eagerness to listen.
Never change or ignore His commands.
The call is clear: take God’s word seriously in every area of life.
If you have neglected or disregarded His word—repent and obey today.

Call to Action
Tonight we have seen the seriousness of God’s word. To tremble at it is to stand in awe, to obey, and to live with reverence. Do not take His word lightly. Let it shape your salvation, your worship, your daily living, and your eternal hope. If you need to repent, obey the gospel, or renew your devotion, respond to God’s word while you still have opportunity.

Key Takeaways

God desires a humble and contrite heart (Isaiah 66:1–2).
Trembling at His word means reverence and obedience (Ezra 9–10).
We must never add to or take away from God’s word (Proverbs 30:5–6).
A soft heart receives the word with meekness (James 1:21).
Loving God is proven by obedience to His commands (John 14:21, 23–24).

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO