Where God Dwells
“For this is what the high and lofty One says — He who lives forever, whose name is holy: I live in a high and holy place — but also with him who is contrite and humble in spirit; to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite.”
(Isaiah 57:15)
In this very glorious verse God Himself describes two arenas where He dwells – He inhabits eternity as the infinite and unique God of the universe, and at the same time – through salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ – He dwells in the human heart!
In similar terms, the psalmist described God as being situated “high above all nations, His glory above the heavens… dwelling on high,” (Ps. 113:4-5). And yet He “humbles Himself… raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the trash heap,” (Ps. 113:6-7).
Why does such a high and lofty God choose to “humble Himself” to look about the earth for poor and needy souls that He may rescue? Why does God who dwells in a high and holy place also choose to make His abode with those who are contrite and humble of heart before Him?
It is in order that He might demonstrate the magnificence of His grace on undeserving souls so those on whom that grace is freely bestowed may, in turn glorify the God of all grace.
Ephesians 1:5-6 explains: “He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”
This King of kings and Lord of lords condescends in His covenant to dwell with the humble, contrite spirit… and to listen to their penitent sighs. What an unimaginable condescension!
John MacDuff, a 19th century preacher said:
“Here is Omnipotence — dwelling with weakness;
Majesty — dwelling with nothingness;
The Infinite — dwelling with the finite;
Deity — dwelling with dust!”
Have you considered what it means that God condescends to live in your heart? “I cease to wonder at anything,” said a believer, “after the discovery of God’s love to me in Christ!”
What is the condition of your heart-home? Do you provide a welcome dwelling place for the high and lofty One? Do you spend time communing with Him… enjoying fellowship with Him… adoring Him?
“If any man loves 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)
- Lord, since You are eternal, You have all power to bring to pass all that You say in Your Word. Your promises are established on Your eternity, and this perfection is the same foundation for my faith in You and what You have promised me as a child of God.
- Would I have my heart in holy awe, filled with reverence and godly fear? Then I must consider Your omnipresence, greatness, holiness, and jealousy. Would I have my heart broken for sin? Then I must consider Your anger and hatred of iniquity… along with Your “goodness, forbearance, and readiness” and “the riches of [Your] goodness and long-suffering that leads to repentance,” (Rom. 2:4). If I am to have my requests and desires enlarged by Your grace and my faith encouraged, then I must sing forth Your praise into eternity for the freeness of Your love and the superabundance of Your grace, as You are the Father of Jesus Christ, who is the merciful Savior.
- As the One who inhabits eternity, Lord, You must necessarily be the ever-living God. Your dwelling is eternity, an infinite eternity which no one else is sufficient to enter. It is true the angels inhabit glory, but they cannot be said to inhabit eternity, because there was a time when they were not created. The saints are said to have a “house eternal in the heavens,” (2 Cor. 5:1). But it cannot be said of the saints that they inhabit eternity, because like the angels, there was a time when the saints did not exist. This characteristic of One capable of inhabiting eternity can only be ascribed to You. You alone are the everlasting God.
Further References for Isa. 57:15
Ps. 34:18; Deut. 33:27; Luke 1:49; Ps. 90:2; Isa. 40:28; 1 Tim. 1:17
