God Dwelling With The Contrite

God Dwelling With The Contrite

"For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place - and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite" (Isaiah 57:15).

There is nothing more remarkable in scripture than its perfect suitability to our needs. It seems to meet us in all our frames of mind, and to adapt itself to all our circumstances. We never to to the Bible for comfort, without finding something to suit our case.

For instance, what can be more cheering to one who is downcast in heart, than these words of the text? They are just what he needs. No human words could so exactly meet his feelings. Considered even as mere words - they are full of comfort. How much more, when we think of them as the words of God!

Yet at first sight there seems something very solemn here, rather than comforting. "Thus says One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity." God is here set forth in His greatness. Can such a one care for a man - a worm of the earth? The next words seem even more discouraging: "whose name is holy." If holy, must He not be displeased with me, a sinner? Can I, as unworthy as I am, hope to be looked upon with favor by the holy God? Thus, to the humble and contrite, these opening words seem to bring anything but hope or comfort.

The same may be said of the words that follow, in which the Almighty begins to speak in His own person: "I dwell in the high and holy place." "Ah, yes!" unbelief and despondency may reply, "in the high and holy place - far out of my reach, in that high place to which I can never attain, in that holy place which such as I cannot enter." To one cast down under a sense of sin - contrite, humble, desponding, these words seem to place God at an infinite distance, and to make Him indeed "a God far away" (Jeremiah 23:23).

But now mark what follows. See how these feelings are met and how God turns the very thought of His power and holiness - into a thought of comfort to the contrite: "I dwell in the high and holy place...and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite."

The greatness and holiness of God are set forth here not to terrify - but to cheer. He, the high and lofty and eternal, "whose name is holy" - is not far off, but near. True, He dwells "in the high and holy place," in the Heaven of heavens, where countless angels worship Him and do His bidding - but He dwells also with the contrite and humble soul. The high and holy place is not more the place of His abode, than is the heart of the meek and contrite. The same word says that He inhabits both. 

Take a person deeply humbled, conscience- stricken, truly penitent, earnestly desiring mercy, hardly daring to hope - yet still feebly looking to Christ. That poor downcast heart - what is it? The very palace of the King of kings! He dwells therein. He makes that humble heart the place of His abode. The eye of faith may be so dim that it cannot see Him - yet He is there. He says so: "Also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit."

Is not this cheering? Does it not raise your drooping spirit, to be assured that God knows you, cares for you, dwells with you? And that notwithstanding all your fears, your despondency, your conscious nothingness, your deep unworthiness - yes, even because of them. God is with you - the great and holy God. For He says that He dwells with the contrite, and by His grace you are such.

But the words that follow are more comforting still. Why does God dwell with the contrite? "To revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite." It is not His will that you should go on always as you are. He would have you always be humble - but not desponding; always contrite - but not always downcast. He comes to cheer you, and that not outwardly, but inwardly. These fears and misgivings which try you so greatly - He comes to take away. Those doubts of the reality of your religion, these suspicions of your own sincerity - He comes to answer. He comes to speak by the Spirit - pardon, hope, and peace. He comes to encourage you and to show you His love for you. 

Aim at being strong in faith. Realize your Saviour's presence, power and love. Trust Him fully. Look up to Him continually, and believe He is with you. His presence will draw you nearer to Him as your only comfort, rest, and strength, your stronghold in the day of trouble. The humble and contrite, with whom God dwells - have in Him an unfailing friend who loves you throughout all eternity.

How precious is prayer at such times! The soul draws near to God - and God draws near to it. The trouble, the fear, the secret thoughts of apprehension, is told to God; and an answer seems to come, and it is felt anew that "the high and lofty One" does indeed dwell with the humble and contrite who seek Him.

The proud and self-righteous, the careless and impenitent - can know nothing of this. For these are blessings for the contrite - and for them alone. Yet the contrite were impenitent once - and the humble were proud and haughty. It is the sovereign grace of God alone which has changed them and brought them down. Losses, disappointments, and trials; pain of body, and grief of mind - what are they in numberless instances? Judgments? No, mercies - and mercies in disguise, the best of mercies, sent by God in order to bring down pride, and soften hardness of heart, and lead the sufferer to Christ in penitence and faith; that so He may visit him and bless him and cause him to know His redeeming love.

~Francis Bourdillon~

(The End)