Why God Dwells with the Contrite and Lowly

“I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.”Isaiah 57:15

Look at what God is saying and try to take it in: “I dwell… with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit” (57:15). God dwells with the person who is contrite. Contrite means “penitent,” humbled by our own sins and failures, seeking after God.

God says, “When I see a person with a contrite spirit, I will choose him or her as my friend. I will stay with that person. I will live with that person. I make my home in that person’s life.”

Now notice what God does when He comes to this person: “I dwell… to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” When God comes to the contrite, He revives the spirit. He breathes new life into the heart.

Revival in the Bible isn’t a series of meetings with a travelling evangelist; it is God coming to a contrite heart. It is God’s life, God’s Spirit being poured into you, bringing you new life and peace and hope and joy.

Do you feel your need for God to revive your heart and restore your soul?