“For thus saith the High and Lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose Name is Holy; I dwell in the High and Holy Place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15).

The Hebrew word for contrite is dakka and means crushed to powder; it is derived from another Hebrew word, daka which means to crumble, to bruise, to beat to pieces, break in pieces, to crush. This is the one to whom the High and Lofty One looks to make His abode, His dwelling place.

David (the Beloved) wrote: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite (crushed and broken) heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise (look down upon, disdain)” (Psalm 51:17). This is the nature of the Lamb, the Sacrifice acceptable to God and received of God as the propitiation for the sins of the whole world. Jesus was crushed [Black and Blue, 1/6/21] for you, for me and for all.

The High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity is One Who revives, One Who resurrects, One Who restores and reconciles; and we are the beneficiaries of His Goodness, His Grace, His mercy, His faithfulness, His Love. If you have been crushed, broken, beaten to pieces by sin, by evil, by cruelty, look! your Redeemer lives!.

Jesus said, “Come unto Me all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and you shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29).

David wrote in another Psalm: “The LORD is near to them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:18). See how near His Presence is when you cry to Him for help. He comes to make you His dwelling place; to revive you, to restore you, to lift you up, to raise you up and bring you to Himself. Jesus said, “that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3b).

The Prophet Isaiah wrote concerning the magnificent greatness of the LORD, who created all things, whose throne is in Heaven and the earth is His footstool; yet He says “to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at My Word” (Isaiah 66:2b).

Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 5:3).

A contrite and humble spirit: Oh, so precious in the sight of God. Oh, so wonderful in His eyes. To these will He look; to these will He make His dwelling place, His habitation. These He will receive, but the rich, the arrogant, the proud He will send away empty.

“Humble thyself in the sight of the LORD, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10). Yes, even to where He is in the Heavenlies.