The High and Lofty One

“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.” - Isaiah 57v15

If we stopped reading Isaiah 57 in the middle of this verse we would be without any hope for eternity. In the previous few verses God had laid out the problems that man has in approaching God. In one verse He said that all of man’s righteousness and all of man’s works are of absolutely no profit – none. Then God goes on to tell us some things about Himself.

He is the high and lofty One
He inhabits eternity
He lives in the high and lofty place

If man’s righteousness and good works are of no profit, and God lives in the “high and lofty place” then man is surely hopeless and faces eternal doom.

The wonderful thing is that is not where it stops. No only does God live in the high and lofty place, but He also lives somewhere else – “I live with Him that that is of a contrite and humble spirit.” There is no way that we can ever get close to God in His high and lofty place. The way to approach God is by simply admitting that we cannot approach Him. It is His work – at the same time He lives in the high and lofty place He can also live in the lives of those who have humble and broken hearts. How amazing is it that the way to reach God is by stepping down!