Isaiah 57 Devotions by Stephen Taylor

Isaiah 57:15

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."

Our God is awesome and powerful, exalted above all, and deserving of the highest praise. We must never forget that our God is all these things and so much more, but He isn't some God who stands aloof or out of reach. He is a God who comes very near to His people, so near to us that He actually dwelled among us and even lives inside of us! He wants us to know that He is the Great I Am and also the humble Servant sent to save the world. I love how our God can be both at the same time, how He can be the One that makes the mountains tremble, and the Shepherd who tenderly loves and cares for the sheep. He is so far beyond us and yet makes Himself so available to us; praise His Holy name!

This humility of heart and contriteness of spirit does not come naturally to us; we all are born a bit rebellious and prideful. Then our flesh and our culture throw gasoline on that fire, and before we know it, the house is engulfed. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory in Jesus Christ! He beckons to us with loving kindness and the offer of mercy and grace. He is a holy God, a righteous God, and yet He is also a loving and gracious God. Where we fall short in our balance, He never does, and He is willing and wanting us to come broken to Him so that He may make us new!

The brokenness over your sin that He desires doesn't mean that you beat yourself up or tear yourself to pieces; it means you come humbly to the foot of His cross in surrender and lay the pieces at His feet. He demands and desires a turning from sin to Him; that is the brokenness that we can bring before Him as a love offering to our God! Remember, He came to save us from our sins and ourselves. He came because we couldn't do it ourselves, and He wanted us to be saved. Will you come and lay your life before Him today?

Psalm 51:16,17- You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

God bless! I love you all, but His love paid it all! Glory, honor, and praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!