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 112:7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings.Christian, you ought not to dread the arrival of evil tidings; because if you are distressed by them, what do you more than other men? Other men have not your God to fly to; they have never proved his faithfulness as you have done, and it is no wonder if they are bowed down with alarm and cowed with fear: but you profess to be of another spirit; you have been begotten again unto a lively hope, and your heart lives in heaven and not on earthly things; now, if you are seen to be distracted as other men, what is the value of that grace which you profess to have received? Where is the dignity of that new nature which you claim to possess? Again, if you should be filled with alarm, as others are, you would, doubtless, be led into the sins so common to others under trying circumstances. The ungodly, when they are overtaken by evil tidings, rebel against God; they murmur, and think that God deals hardly with them. Will you fall into that same sin? Will you provoke the Lord as they do? Moreover, unconverted men often run to wrong means in order to escape from difficulties, and you will be sure to do the same if your mind yields to the present pressure. Trust in the Lord, and wait patiently for him. Your wisest course is to do as Moses did at the Red Sea, "Stand still and see the salvation of God." For if you give way to fear when you hear of evil tidings, you will be unable to meet the trouble with that calm composure which nerves for duty, and sustains under adversity. How can you glorify God if you play the coward? Saints have often sung God's high praises in the fires, but will your doubting and desponding, as if you had none to help you, magnify the Most High? Then take courage, and relying in sure confidence upon the faithfulness of your covenant God, "let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Daily Light on the Daily Path Romans 6:14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.Romans 6:15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! Romans 7:4 Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 1 Corinthians 9:21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 1 Corinthians 15:56,57 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; • but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. John 8:34 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. John 8:36 "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. Galatians 5:1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. 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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