For the high and exalted One
He who inhabits eternity, Whose name is Holy says this,
“I dwell on the high and holy place,
But also with the contrite and humble in spirit
In order to revive the spirit of the humble
And to revive the heart of the contrite [overcome with sorrow for sin]. Isaiah 57:15
How many of us have seen the puzzled expressions and heard the confusion in the question from Believers in Jesus, “how did we get here?” And then, we blame it on a depraved society, Covid, the government, etc., when we really should be asking God to show us where we went wrong. That’s right, think about it how can we blame society for being so “bad” when they are still walking in the darkness of this world, simply because we have covered the Light we’re supposed to be shinning? We are repeating a sad history. Instead of His blood bought children having compassion and seeking those who are lost in the darkness and lighting the way to a relationship with Jesus, we turn the light on ourselves and one another. We’re so busy trying to show one another how much more spiritual we are than someone else by “keeping the rules” the world around us is spinning out of control and becoming more destructive.
Today’s verse should wake us up to the truth. The reason things are so bad, is because we are not seeing our own sins that are hindering others from finding Jesus as their Savior and Lord. So let’s learn from Isaiah how to begin revival within ourselves. Look at what today’s verse says, God dwells with the one who has a contrite and humble spirit. In the Hebrew the word contrite is defined as regret, remorse and repentance. Having a contrite spirit and heart then is all those things. We begin by regretting for not remembering that our salvation and all its benefits are through accepting the sacrifice of Jesus, nothing of ourselves. The only reason we are righteous and holy is because He is righteous and Holy and He now lives in us. Which should lead us to have a broken heart over taking so lightly what it cost Jesus, His separation from His Father and physical and emotional suffering so we could be reconciled back to God our Father. Now remembering these things we should repent, change our minds always remembering He is the Way, the Truth and the Life and we are to show others the way to a relationship with Him. It’s all about Him and His working in us through Holy Spirit.
Personal revival begins with asking the questions like Jeremiah Lamphier, who when asked to help the businessmen of New York City, prayed “Lord, what would you have me do?” And Evan Roberts at a prayer meeting prayed “Bend me oh Lord.” Both of these short prayers were answered by not only personal revival, but a revival among other Believers who had found themselves needing to have their slumbering spirits revived to breath of Holy Spirit. For it is through open hearts that bend towards Holy Spirit’s leading that revives and transforms the heart and revival begins. May our prayer be, and let it begin with me Lord.
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