Bible League: Living His Word "... I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with people who are humble and sorry for their sins. I will give new life to those who are humble in spirit. I will give new life to those who are sorry for their sins."— Isaiah 57:15 ERV Although God is omnipresent, our verse for today tells us that He lives in a special way in two places. He lives in the "high and holy place" of heaven, and He lives with "people who are humble and sorry for their sins" on earth. Why these two? There was a time when God was close to the earth. It was the time before the fall of humankind into sin. At that time, God would walk around the Garden of Eden during the cool part of the day (Genesis 3:8,10). At that time, there was no sin on the earth that kept God from living with people. God is holy and He distances Himself from that which is unholy. Therefore since sin entered the world, He has restricted Himself to the high and holy place of heaven, because His holiness demands it. His very holiness demands that He distance Himself from sinful humanity. There is, however, an exception to the rule. God also lives with people who are humble and sorry for their sins. Sin is born of pride and arrogance. Indeed, the very first sin, the sin of eating from "the tree that gives knowledge about good and evil" (Genesis 2:17) was born of the prideful and arrogant desire to be like God (Genesis 3:5). When people give up their pride and arrogant attitude with respect to God, when people are sorry for their prideful and arrogant ways, God forgives them and lives with them. The distance that once separated them is overcome by the blood of Jesus. There is an added benefit for those who are humble and sorry for their sins. Our verse tells us that God gives them new life. The penalty for sin is death - eternal death (Genesis 2:17). In effect, prideful sinners are dead people, even if they are still living. On the other hand, the reward for being humble and being sorry for sin is life - eternal life. In effect, humble, forgiven people are living people - even if they die (John 11:25). God dwells with humble and sorrowful people and He reverses the penalty for their sin for Jesus' sake. Humble yourselves before this holy God and enjoy fellowship with Him both now and in eternity. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingProverbs 28, 29 Proverbs 28 -- The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Proverbs 29 -- He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 2 Corinthians 7 2 Corinthians 7 -- We have opened our hearts to you; Godly Sorrow Brings Repentance NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him.Insight Because of Christ's death and resurrection, his followers need never fear death. That assurance frees us to enjoy fellowship with him and to do his will. Challenge This will affect all our activities—work, worship, play, Bible study, quiet times, and times of caring for others. When you know that you don't have to fear death, you will experience a new vigor in life. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Psalm 148:14 A people near unto him.The dispensation of the old covenant was that of distance. When God appeared even to his servant Moses, he said, "Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet;" and when he manifested himself upon Mount Sinai, to his own chosen and separated people, one of the first commands was, "Thou shalt set bounds about the mount." Both in the sacred worship of the tabernacle and the temple, the thought of distance was always prominent. The mass of the people did not even enter the outer court. Into the inner court none but the priests might dare to intrude; while into the innermost place, or the holy of holies, the high priest entered but once in the year. It was as if the Lord in those early ages would teach man that sin was so utterly loathsome to him, that he must treat men as lepers put without the camp; and when he came nearest to them, he yet made them feel the width of the separation between a holy God and an impure sinner. When the gospel came, we were placed on quite another footing. The word "Go" was exchanged for "Come;" distance was made to give place to nearness, and we who aforetime were afar off, were made nigh by the blood of Jesus Christ. Incarnate Deity has no wall of fire about it. "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," is the joyful proclamation of God as he appears in human flesh. Not now does he teach the leper his leprosy by setting him at a distance, but by himself suffering the penalty of his defilement. What a state of safety and privilege is this nearness to God through Jesus! Do you know it by experience? If you know it, are you living in the power of it? Marvellous is this nearness, yet it is to be followed by a dispensation of greater nearness still, when it shall be said, "The tabernacle of God is with men, and he doth dwell among them." Hasten it, O Lord. Daily Light on the Daily Path James 1:8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.Luke 9:62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. James 1:6,7 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. • For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, Mark 11:24 "Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. Ephesians 4:14,15 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; • but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, John 15:4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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