Hoekstra's Day by Day by Grace (September 21st)

God Dwelling with the Humble and Contrite

For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." (Isaiah 57:15)

God delights in pouring out His grace into humble hearts. "God…gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). What a remarkable arrangement this involves. The God who dwells on high in heaven above wants to also dwell with the humble here on earth below.

Our great God, the true and living God, is high and lofty. "For thus says the High and Lofty One." He is exalted. "For You, LORD, are most high above all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods" (Psalm 97:9). He rules far above, and completely over, every valid authority and every false god. Also, eternity is His rightful habitation: "who inhabits eternity." Furthermore, holiness is His essential character: "whose name is Holy." Among all professed powers or spiritual usurpers, none is like our holy Lord. "Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" (Exodus 15:11).

In light of His holy and eternal character, it follows that He would make this proclamation: "I dwell in the high and holy place." Beyond the atmospheric heavens, beyond the stellar heavens, the Lord dwells in the heaven of heavens. In this spiritual dimension beyond time and space, the fullness of the Lord's presence is known. Yet, He is even greater than this "third heaven" itself. "Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool…Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You" (Isaiah 66:1 and 1 Kings 8:27).

The Lord is high, lofty, holy, and eternal. These truths impact us with awe and reverence. Yet, there is a corollary truth that brings us encouragement and hope (even though it seems almost contradictory). "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit." God essentially dwells on high, but He also desires to dwell with man here below. Who are the people who experience the Lord dwelling with them? Such communion with God is for the contrite and humble. The Lord wants to make Himself known to the repentant and meek in order to bring them spiritual revitalization: "to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."