Who is God with? We might expect that God is with the righteous: but if God were only with the righteous, then no one would know him as their refuge. Wonderfully, Isaiah says God is with the contrite and lowly in spirit.
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.
I will not accuse them forever,
nor will I always be angry,
for then they would faint away because of me—
the very people I have created.
I was enraged by their sinful greed;
I punished them, and hid my face in anger,
yet they kept on in their willful ways.
I have seen their ways, but I will heal them;
I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners,
creating praise on their lips.
Peace, peace, to those far and near,”
says the Lord. “And I will heal them.”
Isaiah 57:13-19
If God continued to accuse us, then we could have no future (v 16). But God promises to heal, to guide, to restore and to comfort those who humble themselves before him (v 17-18).
Jesus probably drew on these words when he said: 'Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted' (Matthew 5 v 4). Isaiah says God will put praise on the lips of those who mourn (v 19). True praise begins when we recognise God’s great grace towards us in Jesus. And recognising God’s grace begins when we realise how great our sin is. So mourning and praise are inextricably linked in the Christian life.
Take a few moments to reflect on the promise of verse 15. Spend some time mourning over your sins, and then rejoicing in his love. Ask him to revive your spirit today.
Based on an extract taken from Explore Daily Bible Reading Notes.