More on God Dwelling with the Humble and Contrite

The LORD is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens. Who is like the LORD our God, who dwells on high, who humbles Himselfto behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth? He raises thepoor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap.(Psalm 113:4-7)

In our previous meditation, we considered the Lord's loftiness, coupled with His interest in man's lowliness. "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite andhumble spirit" (Isaiah 57:15). In our present verses, we again see the Lord's desire todwell with the humble and contrite.

Our great God dwells in the heaven of heavens, ruling over all the nations of the world."The LORD is high above all nations." His glory is even more majestic than the galaxies which He hung throughout the stellar heavens: "His glory above the heavens." There is no one in all the universe who could be likened unto Him. "Who is like the LORD our God?"Nevertheless, though He rightly inhabits the highest realms of existence, He is willing to consider our lowly estate and become involved in the affairs of humanity: "who dwells onhigh, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in theearth."

From His high and lofty position, the Lord observes the family of man. He is not looking for the boastful and the arrogant. He is looking for the humble and the contrite. "Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar"(Psalm 138:6). Although our God is the creator of all the universe, He is looking for the spiritually bankrupt and those whose hearts are crushed. "'For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,' says the LORD. 'But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word'" (Isaiah 66:2). This last phrase gives a key characteristic of those who are truly humble and contrite. They respond with reverence when hearing God's word.

What does the Lord desire to do for the humble and contrite? He wants to bring spiritual restoration: "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me" (Psalm 138:7). Our great God is a God of compassion. He wants to restore the crushed heart. "The LORD isnear to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit…Heheals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 34:18 and 147:3). Our mighty, compassionate Lord "raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap."

God Dwelling with the Humble and Contrite

For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite andhumble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." (Isaiah 57:15)

God delights in pouring out His grace into humble hearts. "God…gives grace to thehumble" (James 4:6). What a remarkable arrangement this involves. The God who dwells on high in heaven above wants to also dwell with the humble here on earth below.

Our great God, the true and living God, is high and lofty. "For thus says the High andLofty One." He is exalted. "For You, LORD, are most high above all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods" (Psalm 97:9). He rules far above, and completely over, every valid authority and every false god. Also, eternity is His rightful habitation: "who inhabitseternity." Furthermore, holiness is His essential character: "whose name is Holy." Among all professed powers or spiritual usurpers, none is like our holy Lord. "Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" (Exodus 15:11).

In light of His holy and eternal character, it follows that He would make this proclamation: "Idwell in the high and holy place." Beyond the atmospheric heavens, beyond the stellar heavens, the Lord dwells in the heaven of heavens. In this spiritual dimension beyond time and space, the fullness of the Lord's presence is known. Yet, He is even greater than this "third heaven" itself. "Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool…Behold, heavenand the heaven of heavens cannot contain You" (Isaiah 66:1 and 1 Kings 8:27).

The Lord is high, lofty, holy, and eternal. These truths impact us with awe and reverence. Yet, there is a corollary truth that brings us encouragement and hope (even though it seems almost contradictory). "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has acontrite and humble spirit." God essentially dwells on high, but He also desires to dwellwith man here below. Who are the people who experience the Lord dwelling with them? Such communion with God is for the contrite and humble. The Lord wants to make Himself known to the repentant and meek in order to bring them spiritual revitalization: "torevive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."