“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
Isaiah 57:15)
God, the infinite and self-existent One, dwells in two places: He inhabits eternity in His infinite majesty, and He dwells within the contrite heart through Christ. He is not contained by the universe, nor limited by time, yet He graciously stoops to make His home with those who tremble at His word.
The psalmist declares, “The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!” (Psalm 113:4-6). The One whose throne is above the heavens looks upon the lowly and lifts them up.
But why does the high and holy God condescend to dwell with the broken and contrite? It is to magnify His grace. He does not dwell with the proud, nor the self-sufficient, but with those who know their need of Him. He revives the spirit of the humble, breathing life into the heart that mourns over sin. His presence is not found in the hardened heart, but in the one who bows low before Him.
Ephesians 1:5-6 reminds us that His grace is purposed for His glory: “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” The God of eternity makes His dwelling in those whom He has redeemed, that they might glorify Him.
John MacDuff described this divine condescension in this way:
“Here is Omnipotence—dwelling with weakness;
Majesty—dwelling with nothingness;
The Infinite—dwelling with the finite;
Deity—dwelling with dust!”
Because this is true, I must ask myself: What is the condition of my heart? Do I welcome His presence? Do I love Him as Christ has said: “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him,” (John 14:23)?
Let the high and holy One not find my heart distant, but humbled, open, and surrendered, that He may dwell there in grace and glory. “That God was from everlasting without any beginning. Psalm 90:2 says, ‘Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world: Even from Everlasting to Everlasting thou art God.’ In Isaiah 57:15 He is called the ‘High and Lofty One that Inhabiteth Eternity.’ In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth; But God, the Creator of heaven and earth Himself, was without beginning, from everlasting.”[1]
Contemplations:
- The Majesty and Nearness of God. God reigns above all creation, yet He chooses to dwell with the lowly. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit” (Isaiah 57:15). Do I marvel that God, who is infinitely above all, would choose to dwell with those who are broken in spirit?
- The Condition of My Heart. The Lord does not dwell with the proud but revives the contrite. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psalm 51:17). Is my heart a dwelling place for God? Do I humble myself before Him, repenting of pride and self-sufficiency?
- Welcoming God’s Presence. God abides with those who love Him and keep His word. “If a man love me, he will keep my words… and we will come unto him and make our abode with him” (John 14:23). Lord, help me live in obedience so that I may enjoy unhindered communion with You.
- Glorifying the God Who Dwells With Me. The Lord dwells in His people so that they might glorify Him. “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ” (Ephesians 1:12). Do I live in a way that reflects the greatness of the One who abides with me? Does my life testify to His grace?
Prayer
O High and Holy One who dwells in eternity, whose name is glorious and who alone is God, I bow before You in awe. You reign above the heavens; You are exalted beyond all that my mind can comprehend. “Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high?” (Psalm 113:5). No place can contain You, no throne can exalt You higher than You already are, and yet You look upon the lowly. You see those who are contrite in heart, and You come near to dwell with them. Who am I, Lord, that You should set Your gaze upon me?
But Father, my heart is too often cold when it should be aflame with love for You. I have been slow to seek You, distracted by lesser things, and self-sufficient when I should have been humble before You. Forgive me, Lord, for failing to welcome You as I should. Forgive me for the pride that resists contrition, for the neglect that dampens my communion with You. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). Do not let my heart be distant when You have promised to draw near to the humble.
Thank You, Father, for the wonder of Your grace—that You, who inhabit eternity, would condescend to dwell in the heart of a sinner made new by Your mercy. I thank You that, in Christ, You have come near, not as just a passing presence but as an abiding God. “We will come unto him and make our abode with him” (John 14:23). What love is this, that You should make Your dwelling with those whom You have redeemed?
Lord, make my heart Your home. Let me not grieve Your Spirit by complacency or sin but grant me a heart that trembles at Your word, that is quick to repent, and that longs for You above all else. Let me cherish Your presence as my greatest treasure, delighting in You above all things. O Lord, revive my spirit and grant that my life may be an offering of praise to the One who alone is worthy.
Teach me, Father, to walk in reverence before You, to magnify Your holiness, and to declare with joy the wonders of Your grace. May my lips proclaim Your praises, and may my life be a testimony that the high and holy One has indeed made His dwelling with those who are His own.
In the name of Christ, my Redeemer, I pray, Amen.
Further References for Isaiah 57:15:
Psalm 34:18; Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 40:28; 1 Timothy 1:17.
[1] Thomas Goodwin, A Fair Prospect Shewing Clearly the Difference between Things That Are Seen & Things That Are Not Seen, (London: A. Maxey for John Rothwell .., 1658), 14–15.
