God dwells with the lowly: Is 57:14-16

“For thus says the high and exalted One who lives forever, whose name is Holy, ‘I dwell on a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit in order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry; for the spirit would grow faint before Me, and the breath of those whom I have made.’” (Isaiah 57:15-16)

The dwelling place of God is far beyond the reaches of mortal man. Paul reminds us that God “dwells in unapproachable light.” (1 Timothy 6:16) God’s dwelling place is not only high but it is also unapproachable. Should man choose, he could not, on his own, ascend into heaven and appear before God. King David asks, “Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place?” (Psalms 24:3) David answers his own questions saying, “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully.” (Psalms 24:4) But who among us can say that they have clean hands and a pure heart? No man (or woman) is good enough, pure enough, or righteous enough to approach God.

How then can man bridge the gap between God and man? The answer is that he cannot. It is impossible, yet with God, all things are possible. Though God is highly exalted, He has chosen to dwell with the lowly and the contrite. We could not come near Him, so He came near to us. “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” (John 14:23)

God has chosen to draw near to us, not for judgment, but to comfort and revive us. Even when He does judge, it is so that He may restore and revive us once again. We cannot approach God in pride or on the merits of our “good works.” We must humble ourselves and ask Him to draw near to us. If we seek the Lord in humility, we will find Him.

David Robison