The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit. -Psalms 34:18 HCSB

I read a short piece this morning written by a man named Don Fortner on “Broken People.” He made a couple of points I feel are worthy of repeating.

He stated that “all men by nature are exceedingly proud, selfish people.” Hardly an original thought! The Bible has alluded to that fact countless times from the book of Genesis through Revelation.

Fortner went on to say that today’s “religion” in popular culture (my addition) is centered around making man feel good about himself. Look at preachers like Joel Osteen and you can easily come to that conclusion. There is a big attraction for people to attend a church that promotes feeling good about oneself. For them, it is a much more appealing prospect than being called to repentance! Sadly, such ‘feel good’ faith isn’t faith at all but some sort of fake, momentary burst of happiness that does not equate to the joy of knowing Christ. It merely serves the distracting purpose of Satan. The author refers to such teaching as “flesh pleasing theology of pride.”

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. -Isaiah 66:2 KJV

He looks to those who see themselves in humility and right relationship with Him. Those He can use in worship of Him and to build His kingdom. Those who know that nothing is owed to them, but rather that they owe all to God.