Isaiah 57:15 - The God The Heavens Can't Contain Dwells In Every Humble Heart. (updated)
Isaiah 57:15 - The God The Heavens Can't Contain Dwells In Every
Humble Heart. (updated)
Isaiah 57:15 (TNIV) For this is what the high and exalted One
says -- he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high
and holy place, but also with those who are contrite and lowly in
spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the
contrite.
Isaiah 57:15 (TEV) "I am the high and holy God, who lives
forever. I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with people who
are humble and repentant, so that I can restore their confidence and
hope.
Isaiah 57:15 (CWR) This is what the High and Holy One who lives
forever says: "Though I live in a high and holy place, I will also live
with him who has a humble and contrite sprit. I will revive the
spirit of the humble and give courage to the heart of the contrite.
CONTEXT
Salvation for the Contrite: Isaiah 56:1-57:21
COMMENTARY APPLICATION
Jay Kesler says that, for some time, he had the concepts of
spiritual self-control and self-reliance confused. He saw self-control,
part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, as something he had to work on.
However, he came to believe self-control and self-reliance are exact
opposites.
We can turn in self-reliance to our own capacities when we're
tempted or in threatening circumstances. However, spiritual self-control
kicks in only when we turn to another source - the Holy Spirit - for
control.
Jay points out that Jesus was in a weakened condition when he
was in the desert being tempted by the devil. "He offered Jesus
jeweled dreams of power and recognition," Jay says. "If he had been
self-reliant, Jesus would have accepted Satan's offers, for Satan appealed to
his independence. He wanted Jesus to stand up against the Father and
grab his own realm of authority. Jesus refused. He turned immediately
to the Bible and drove off Satan's attack with blistering arguments
from Scripture."
If Satan is prowling around "looking for whom he may devour,"
we need more than our own powers of self to elude him. We need
God's help.
Shirley Temple, in one of her films as a little girl, boldly
raises herself up and with cheery, endearing confidence declares, "I'm
very self-reliant!" It's a delightful scene, and we find such
self-reliance admirable. Yet as we grow spiritually, we learn we need far more
than self-reliance.
Kesler says, "I used to think it was a sign of weakness to
say, 'I need help.' But that should be one of the distinctions of the
Christian. Self-control is when I tenaciously, deliberately cling to Christ
as the Source."
Father, more and more I realize that I can't experience the
fruit of your presence without surrendering control of my life to your
Holy Spirit. Help me to give up self-reliance in favor of godly
self-control. [The One Year Book of Encouragement by Harold Myra]
"I come down. Your religious instincts will always tell you
that you have to come up to Me, but you can't unless I enable you by
first coming down. Haven't you seen My ways throughout history? I sent
Moses to 'go down' into Egypt in order to rescue My people. I sent My
prophets into battles and captivities in order to bring My people out. I
clothed Myself in flesh, coming down to bring salvation to all who
believe. My Son went down into the grave in order to raise people up into
life. I sent My apostles - and many servants since - into the depths
of the world to bring people up into My Kingdom. The world's
expectations are for a high and holy deity to insist that you reach higher.
My way is to come down and lift you up to where I am.
"I am high and exalted, but that never keeps Me from entering
into your condition. In your difficulties today, I come to empower
you and guide you. In your limitations, I come down to defy them.
Whatever depths you find yourself in tomorrow, I will be there to lift
you up. I am the exalted One who exalts those who trust in Me.
"If you want to come up with Me, stop striving to go up
yourself. Defy your instincts that drive you to 'achieve' spiritually.
Those who strive for exaltation will never find it. I lift up the
humble and contrite, the ones who rest in Me. Depend on My ability. Let
My Spirit meet you where you are and bring you where I want you to
be. Stop striving and know that I am God - and that the high and
holy place is for everyone who is with Me."
Father, I want to live in the "high and holy place" too. I
want to rise above my circumstances and live in Your power. Lift me
up as I lay down my efforts and humbly rest in You. [The One Year
Experiencing God's Presence Devotional by Chris Tiegreen]
"I know when it's hard for you to face the day. I've seen you
wake up in the morning with a heavy heart. I've sensed the dread
within you when you feel defeated by obstacles before you've even
encountered them. When you have those days, you need to know: I want to
refresh you, give you strength, and fill you with courage.
"Your issues are too big for you. They are never too big for
the Spirit I've put within you. You feel intimidated by them for two
reasons. First, you rightly understand your own limitations, and second,
you make false assumptions about My readiness to come to your aid in
the midst of them. When you walk boldly forward, depending on Me
rather than on yourself, I am with you.
"The very thing that makes you humble - an awareness of your
own weakness and flaws - is the very thing that qualifies you to
overcome. Your humility draws Me into you and increases My desire to fill
you with faith and courage. Your repentance brings Me close. But you
often have more faith in your potential failures than in My potential
successes. You envision how your life will turn out if I'm absent or don't
come through. But I have promised My Presence - in everything. And in
My Presence, you can have courage and strength to face any
challenge in life without fear. Go into this day in the boldness of My
Spirit, and nothing will overcome you."
Lord, I need grace and strength to face this day - and all
days. May I always place my complete confidence in You. Help me be as
low as I need to be in order to he lifted up in boldness and
courage. Let me live as one who is constantly refreshed by You. [The One
Year Experiencing God's Presence Devotional by Chris Tiegreen]
The Lord longs for an intimate relationship with us. Time spent
in communication with Him is the best way to grow close to Him, as
we recognize His majesty and our own need. [Life Principles SB By
Charles Stanley]
CROSS REFERENCE
Mat 5:3 (NEB) How blest are those who know their need of God;
the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
Mat 5:3 (NLT) "God blesses those who realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2007/20070528-1445.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2010/20100929-1213.html
EXCELLENT VIDEO SERIES ON EXPERIENCING GOD:
http://sda.biggytv.com/watch/Revive!_-_Dwight_Nelson:_Experiencing_Gods_Grace/revive/
EXCELLENT VIDEO ON GOD WORKING IN THE LIFE OF A SURRENDERED
SAINT:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwQadBppHMY
