February 1: THE REST THAT REVIVES

Thus says the LORD: “Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? Isaiah 66:1

Countless times, the LORD, the majestic God of all Creation, has expressed His desire to dwell with the intelligent beings He has created. This includes angels and people. His stating of the obvious in the above opening words leads to a pair of questions that He intends for His people to ponder . . . and hopefully furnish an answer.

“For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,” Says the LORD, “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.” (v.2)

The merciful and compassionate eyes of God are drawn to all whose lives are characterized by humility. Such a one sees himself under the shining light of the word of God, and it causes him to tremble at the recognition of his own spiritual poverty. As we begin the final chapter of Isaiah’s writings — a “mini Bible”, as it were — we are reminded that we matter very much to God. We are reminded that He expects us to build Him a house. And we are reminded that He provides the building tools in His word. The one who trembles at [His] word will also search that word diligently as he builds.

The first address of Jesus to the multitudes began with these sublime words: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). He is saying to those who understand that they are in dire spiritual need that His kingdom belongs to them. It is at that very point that the building begins. It is a “makeover” that will render each one a vital part of the house, or dwelling place, of God.

It is interesting that at the close of the prophesied 490 years (seventy weeks) that the LORD had graciously granted to the Jews (see Daniel 9:24), that Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5) selected Isaiah’s words above in his address to the council of Jewish religious leaders (7:49-50). In their refusal to acknowledge their error and willful deafness, Satan kindled their anger toward this truth-bearer, and they repeated the act of previous generations who had killed the prophets sent to them by the LORD (vv.57-60).

And where is the place of My rest? As the sustainer of all life and the entire universe itself, God is not dependent upon us for a place of residence. But, even as His love for us draws us toward Him, He is drawn toward those who are poor in spirit. He Himself can rest with such! And, oh, it is a blessed rest indeed!

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

Further reading: Psalm 11:7; Psalm 103:14, 17-19; Matthew 7:24; Hebrews 4:1-4