How magnificently great is this One! It would seem that such an awesome majesty must be forbidding and repelling, reducing all of creation to nothing before Him, so that we are not worthy of even His least consideration. He inhabits eternity; He has no beginning and no ending. We are creatures of time. He is infinitely high and lofty, whose name is Holy, dwelling in that high and holy place, far above our highest thoughts.

But, what amazing grace! Although His proper dwelling is high above all heavens, yet He dwells with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, even though that one is the very opposite of lofty exaltation and sublime dignity. Not only are humans frail and weak, they are also guilty sinners, deserving of God’s contempt and of His withering judgment.

Who then is the one with a contrite and humble spirit? It is the one who honestly faces the guilt of his sinful condition in lowly repentance and self-judgment. He takes sides with God against his sin, so that God can graciously dwell with him. But there is something not mentioned here—something imperative in order for God to righteously dwell with such a sinner. The revelation of this awaited the New Testament, where we read in John 3:16 that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Indeed, how very wonderful is God’s grace, not only delighting to dwell with the contrite and humble, but also lovingly giving His own Son to die for them. This provides a wonderful reviving for those who have been brought low in contrite repentance and humility.