June 4, 2022

Isaiah 57: 15 (NIV)

For this is what the high and lofty One says – he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”

The central truth for the comfort of God’s people is that the infinitely Great One cares even for the infinitely little.*

I was in an airplane more than 30,000 feet above the earth when the thought struck me: I am no closer to God here than I am in my house. Where ever heaven is, God is there, but he is also where I am. God transcends space (high and holy place), time (lives forever), and character (whose name is holy), and yet he dwells within the souls of humble and repentant people.* 

While it is an honor to approach him freely, it is clear that we must also come before him humbly. The powerful God in heaven becomes the approachable God in the hearts of those who humble themselves before him. We find comfort in these words from God, delivered by Isaiah, but they were addressed to a specific audience in a particular situation. The message for us today comes from Jesus, who said that no one can come to the Father except through him (John 14: 6). A humble and contrite heart is still necessary but Jesus is our escort into the throne-room of God. It is through his blood that our hearts are purified and made fit to be the dwelling place of the lofty one. 

When we confess our sins and admit our unworthiness; when we crush our pride and hit rock-bottom, we receive the joyful message that God shared through Isaiah and Jesus: He dwells in us, not just to take up space, but to revive the spirit and the heart.

Through His blood we may draw near with boldness, and have access with confidence into God's presence.*