2023-12-20 “a contrite and humble spirit”

Isaiah 57:15  “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth 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.

When “God” told “Moses” that He was sending him to “bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt”; “Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11).  When “Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife”, “David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king” (I Samuel 18:18).  When Israel gave abundant offerings for building the Temple; David humbly prayed, “who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee” (I Chronicles 29:14).  When Paul remembered his sins, he humbly declared, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24).  It is an amazing thing that the Eternal Holy Sovereign God would choose such “contrite and humble” people to dwell with Him.  Human logic says, choose the bold, the brassy, the self-confident, and those who rush to take charge.  But, our merciful and gracious Almighty God has chosen to dwell among those who are “of a contrite and humble spirit”; those who know that they are unworthy, know that they are unable, and those who know that without God they are nothing!  The Lord knows the difference between the façade of contrition and humility and those who are truly “contrite and humble”.  Those who are actually “contrite and humble”, because of their broken condition in life, our Lord God Almighty has chosen to lovingly and mercifully “revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones”!  That is, He lifts them up, forgives them, cleanses them from all sin, comforts them, encourages them, strengthens them, and wonderfully exalts them to dwell with Him.  And with Him is peace and joy and comfort that this present world cannot possibly provide!