Christ within You .010.3

 I am about to do a copy and paste from my e-Sword Bible Study program with a thought shared therein by Pastor Hoekstra, as an introduction to the next few postings:

God Dwelling with the Humble and Contrite:

For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." (Isaiah 57:15)

God delights in pouring out His grace into humble hearts. "God . . . gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). What a remarkable arrangement this involves. The GOD Who dwells on high in heaven above wants to also dwell within the humble here on earth below.

Our great GOD, the true and living GOD, is high and lofty. "For thus says the High and Lofty One." He is exalted. "For You, LORD, are most high above all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods" (Psalm 97:9). He rules far above, and completely over, every valid authority and every false god. Also, eternity is His rightful habitation: "Who inhabits eternity." Furthermore, holiness is His essential character: "whose name is Holy." Among all professed powers or spiritual usurpers, none is like our Holy LORD. "Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" (Exodus 15:11).

In light of His Holy and eternal character, it follows that He would make this proclamation: "I dwell in the High and Holy place." Beyond the atmospheric heavens, beyond the stellar heavens, the LORD dwells in the heaven of heavens. In this spiritual dimension beyond time and space, the fullness of the LORD'S presence is known. Yet, He is even greater than this "third heaven" itself. "Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool . . . Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You" (Isa. 66:1 and 1Ki. 8:27).

The LORD of lords is High, lofty, Holy, and eternal. These truths impacts us with awe and reverence. Yet, there is a corollary Truth that brings us encouragement and hope (even though it seems almost contradictory). "I dwell in the High and Holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit." GOD essentially dwells on High, but He also desires to dwell within man here below. Who is the person that experiences the LORD-Spirit dwelling with them? Such communion with GOD is for the contrite and humble. The LORD wants to make Himself known in the contrite of heart and meek hearts in order to bring them spiritual revitalization: "to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

O LORD God, I worship You as high, lofty, holy, and eternal. I exalt You as above all and ruling over all. Yet, I praise You for desiring to dwell within me here on earth below. I humble myself before You, confessing my need for spiritual revitalization, in Jesus name, Amen."

It is said that after his conversion that Smith Widglesworth prayed for the Spirit of Holiness to fill him and that he sat for days in prayer waiting for this in anticipation of it taking place as requested of him. Based on this I shall over the next few posts do some further studies as this fits like a glove what we have been sharing all along. Jesus opened the door of this event and has given to us keys to effect this for ourselves, by the Spirit of His Holiness.