Monday Reflection – November 23, 2020 God’s Dwelling

Monday Reflection – November 23, 2020
God’s Dwelling

I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with those who are contrite and humble in spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 57:15

Today’s Watchword evokes a sense that we should sit up and listen to God speaking to us. The verse actually begins with, “For thus says the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy…” God is speaking directly to His people and begins by giving a little description about Himself; a key thought that His people needed to remember. But why? When we read the context of Isaiah 57, we find that God’s people had lost sight of the majesty of God. They had lost their reverence for God. Many in fact were not even giving Him a thought anymore. Their once high noble thought of God had descended to that of mere household idols made of wood. These idols were now their saviour. So, God begins by reintroducing Himself again in His right context. Have we lost sight of God – His holiness, His majesty, His glory? Do we walk in reverential fear of God? We will do well to recognize and remember God’s exalted position above all powers, rulers and authority. There is none above God and He has complete and utter power to act as He pleases.

The text reveals an amazing dimension of God. Yes, God is high, lofty and holy and he dwells in the high and holy place, yet he also dwells among mortal beings. When we read that God is ‘the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity and whose very being is holy’, we may tend to think that He would keep His distance from people like you and me! But, NOT SO! The God of the universe shows His care and love for us, inspite of us. Hallelujah!!! God dwells with those who are contrite and humble in spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite. The text challenges us to walk humbly before God and allow Him to lead us to reflect his glory.

Interestingly, this same thought of humility and contrition is presented to us later in Isaiah 66:2, “To this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.” The Hebrew word for contrite is translated ‘crippled’ or ‘lame’. It reflects one who realizes that his walk is not what it should be and so comes humbly before God. There he finds himself blessed with the presence of the Almighty God who dwells with such souls in order to revive their spirit. This is the God who is worth knowing, worshipping and experiencing!

In the presence of our high, lofty and holy God, let us demonstrate a humble spirit and a contrite heart so we can truly experience His presence with and in us. May we decrease and God increase in us. Amen.

Jermaine Gibson