HIGH, HOLY, AND HUMBLE

For this is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” —Isaiah 57:15

God is high and exalted. He is eternal and lives in a high and holy place. While the Creator God had a particular claim to the highest place, such claims were not unique in the descriptions of the gods of the ancient world. In the various theologies and mythologies, living high above their human subjects was the definition of a god—situated above, probably removed, and likely uncaring about the fate of the people who tried to attract his attention through religious rituals and sacrifices. But God is also humble. Not only is He high and holy, but He is with those who are contrite and lowly. He chooses not to remain aloof and implacable, drawing near to hear and feel the suffering of humanity, with particular concern for those who suffer most.

Isaiah presents a God who, somehow, was near to His people, identified with their pain and questions, and was actively working to lift them up—even before the incarnation of Jesus. Indeed, it is probably best understood that because God stoops to come near His suffering people, He brings His holiness closer. Simply by virtue of Him drawing near, those who are most in need and most open feel His presence and influence. “I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts” (Isaiah 57:15, NLT).

When Jesus drew even closer to humanity, He repeated the same assurance: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).

In Jesus, God would be closer than ever to the contrite and the lowly, bringing them restoration and courage.