Today on the blog I thought I’d share the day’s entry in my daily devotional, Drawing Near to God, as it is very relevant to the season of Advent. As we prepare for the birth of Christ, we reflect on how He came to the earth. He was born not in a palace but in a stable. And just as He was humbly born, He comes to those who humble themselves. (see devotional below).
If you need a resource to help you make space for God each day, I encourage you to check out more entries from this devotional. You can read it online (or receive it each day in your inbox) or download our mobile app to have it on hand wherever you go!
For this is what the high and lofty One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him 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 dwells in a humble heart. He always seeks out the places of humility in which to dwell. When Jesus Christ came to earth, He did not come as the conquering King, but as a lowly servant; He did not choose to be born in a palace fit for kings, but in a stable; He did not dwell while on earth in a palace, but claimed that He had no place to rest His head. When we receive Christ into our lives, He comes to revive the heart of the contrite—the humble in heart. When we turn to Him in repentance seeking to draw near to God, He hears our prayers: If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14) God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to dwell in willing humble hearts—hearts seeking God and His ways.
In Isaiah 59:1-2, the people are reminded that the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor is His ear too dull to hear. It is our sins that have separated us from God. (Psalm 66:18) When we turn back to Him in humility and true repentance, the Lord, our Redeemer, listens and comforts us. Our children often do things that displease us, but we are quick to comfort them when they recognize and ask forgiveness for their wrong behavior. God is our loving Father who revives the spirit of the contrite. (Isaiah 57:15)
Does your heart need to be revived? Has pride found its way into you and crowded out the Presence of Christ? As you humbly turn to Jesus, He will forgive, heal and comfort you. Humility brings not only the comfort and restoration of God, but it also brings the power and presence of God into your life.
Heavenly Father,
Forgive me for turning away from You. I have been caught in the trap of believing that I can do all things in my own strength. Forgive my arrogance and pride. I acknowledge today that I can do nothing apart from You. -In Jesus’ name, Amen
