By Dennis Edwards:
Do you know where God lives? I think most people would say in Heaven. I was reading in the Bible the other day and came across God’s habitation. In Isaiah it says,
“For thus says 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.”[1]
In other words, God lives in a humble heart!
In Psalms we find something similar when David prays,
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”[2]
Again, we see the importance of a humble or broken heart.
In another Psalm we read,
“But Thou art holy, O Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.”[3]
God is saying He lives in the praises of His people. If we have praise on our lips and within our heart, God's presence is with us.
In another Psalm we read,
“I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.”[4] "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns or hoofs."[5]
God is more pleased with our attitude of praise and thanksgiving, than any sacrifice we could offer Him in goods or money.
“For thus says 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.”[1]
In other words, God lives in a humble heart!
In Psalms we find something similar when David prays,
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”[2]
Again, we see the importance of a humble or broken heart.
In another Psalm we read,
“But Thou art holy, O Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.”[3]
God is saying He lives in the praises of His people. If we have praise on our lips and within our heart, God's presence is with us.
In another Psalm we read,
“I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.”[4] "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns or hoofs."[5]
God is more pleased with our attitude of praise and thanksgiving, than any sacrifice we could offer Him in goods or money.
So what have we learned? We have learned that God dwells in a broken heart. He dwells with those who are thankful, regardless of what problems or hardships they are going through. He dwells with those whose hearts and lips are full of praise.
Has your heart been broken by disappointment, by failure, by the lack of love of others, by the seemingly bad circumstances in your life? Take heart, be thankful. God loves you and is near to those of a broken heart. Offer to Him the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving and He will be with you. Paul admonishes,
"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."[6]
In another place we read,
"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, rejoice!"[7]
It seems like praise is something very important!
But, if you are feeling far from God, remember, God is not far from any of us, as Paul teaches.
“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands; neither is worshiped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he gives to all life, and breath, and all things; and has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: for in him we live, and move, and have our being.”[8]
Has your heart been broken by disappointment, by failure, by the lack of love of others, by the seemingly bad circumstances in your life? Take heart, be thankful. God loves you and is near to those of a broken heart. Offer to Him the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving and He will be with you. Paul admonishes,
"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."[6]
In another place we read,
It seems like praise is something very important!
But, if you are feeling far from God, remember, God is not far from any of us, as Paul teaches.
“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands; neither is worshiped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he gives to all life, and breath, and all things; and has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: for in him we live, and move, and have our being.”[8]
Are you trying to do good and love others, but things don’t seem to have worked out for you? Don’t fret. God’s word says,
“The righteous cry, and the Lord hears; and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit.”[9]
Keep humble. Keep trusting in the Lord. Keep doing good. For He has promised, if you commit your way unto Him and trust also in Him, that He will bring it to pass.[10]
“The righteous cry, and the Lord hears; and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit.”[9]
Keep humble. Keep trusting in the Lord. Keep doing good. For He has promised, if you commit your way unto Him and trust also in Him, that He will bring it to pass.[10]
And if you have yet to enter into personal relationship with Jesus, and you hear Him knocking at the door to your heart; just open up and let Him in. He says,
"Behold, I stand at the door , and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me." [11]
Don't you want to fellowship with the God of the universe? He’s better than Mr. Clean and will renew your heart and mind and give you joy unspeakable. It’s just that simple. He’s just that wonderful. Try Him, you won't be disappointed.
"Behold, I stand at the door , and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me." [11]
Don't you want to fellowship with the God of the universe? He’s better than Mr. Clean and will renew your heart and mind and give you joy unspeakable. It’s just that simple. He’s just that wonderful. Try Him, you won't be disappointed.
[1] Isaiah 57:15
[2] Psalm 51:10, 15-17
[3] Psalm 22:3
[4] Psalm 116:17
[5] Psalm 69: 30-31
[6] 1Thessalonians 5:18
[7] Philippians 4:4
[8] Acts 17: 24-28
[9] Psalm 34: 17-18
[10] Psalm 37: 5
[11] Revelation 3:20
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