SOAP 07/29/2015; Isaiah 57:15

Today's reading: Isaiah 57, 58, 59; Psalm 103; 2 Peter 3

S) "¹⁵ For thus says the high and exalted One
Who lives forever, whose name is Holy,
'I dwell on a high and holy place,
And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit
In order to revive the spirit of the lowly
And to revive the heart of the contrite.'"

Isaiah 57:15 (NASB)

O) This is the wonder of the LORD our God. Despite His holiness, His nature that He is altogether above us, beyond us, and unreachable, He chooses to dwell with the contrite and lowly of spirit. There was simply no way for us to ever bridge the gap that existed between our small, hopeless, and helpless position, to reach up to His standard, His dwelling place, His refuge. He was too perfect for us to reach him; we were too broken. He was too full of life for us to survive Him; we were too full of death. But the LORD, full of compassion and grace, in His patience and lovingkindness, came to us. Over and over, He reached out to His people, to establish covenant with them. The ultimate, final covenant being perfected in the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our Savior came to dwell fully with the contrite and lowly of spirit, that we might experience Him from our limited ability to perceive Him.

A) Verses like this remind me of just how hopeless and helpless I was, before I encountered Christ Jesus. I am humbled and drawn into thanksgiving, praise, and worship. This verse, being in the Old Testament, is a reminder that the heart of the LORD has always been one of compassion, love, grace, and mercy. Always, He has desired for the broken relationship to be restored. Always, He has desired reconciliation with His creation. This is the whole point of ministry. This is the gospel that should be shared. Jesus came to manifestly display the reality of this verse, and my testimony is a reflection of this verse in action.

P) Father, thank You for having character that never changes. You are the same, from the beginning to the end. You have always intended to seek me out. It was always Your purpose to commune with me. When I was lowly in spirit, You revived me. When I was contrite, You gave me life. Thank You, God, for saving me. Thank You for dwelling, not only in Your high and holy place, but also with the contrite and lowly in spirit. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.