"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; 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
What a tremendous description Isaiah gives of our God!! Before we can understand our relationship to the majestic LORD, we need to understand what the Word says about Him.
“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity.”
Jehovah is the God who is higher and holier than anyone else in His universe. Isaiah also said, “I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up,” (Isaiah 6:1). He is above all, He transcends all, there is none like Him anywhere. He is above all His creation, and all His creatures. His dwelling place is “eternity.” He never changes because He is immutable. He lives in “heaven” and yet at the same time He lives with men on the earth.
“Whose name is Holy.”
God is so far removed from sin that His name is “Holy.” “…God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all,” (1 John 1:5b). There is no hint of the darkness of sin in Him. “There is none holy as the LORD…,” (1 Samuel 2:2). “Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God?” (1 Samuel 6:20b).
“Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy,” (Psalm 99:3).
“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name,” (Psalm 103:1).
“Holy and reverend is His name,” (Psalm 111:9b).
“For He that is might hath done to me great things; and holy is His name,” (Luke 1:49).
The God who is Holy, is our God. The seraphim who minister to God constantly are saying, “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory,” (Isaiah 6:3b).
“I dwell in the high and holy place.”
His dwelling is above this earth and sin. He is transcendent, living above the earth and sin and yet is actively involved in the lives of His children.
What can we understand about having a relationship with this holy God?
“I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit.”
Two Qualifiers:
Contrite – The Hebrew noun means, “dust.” The adjective means “contrite.”
Humble – It means “low, humble.”
These will live with the LORD.
“To revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
Notice that our LORD revives the spirits and the hearts of the humble and contrite. Do you want to live with God? Do you want to know that you have God’s ear? Whether or not you do depends on your “pride” and “humility.”
Believer, does your heart need “reviving?” Let the LORD work on it.