Scripture

Isaiah 57:15 For this is what the high and exalted One says—

he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place,  but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.

 

Thoughts

What does it mean that God, our Holy, heavenly Father, our creator and sustainer, is transcendent (beyond or above the range of normal or merely physical human experience) and also immanent (actively present, involved, and dwelling within His creation and humanity, not distant)? The passage from Isaiah 57 is confounding to me, because in it God defines himself as above and beyond us–outside of time, eternal, every-existing, creator of everything, knower of all thoughts and actions of every synapse in our brains to the light of stars that have been dead for billions of years. And yet he also defines himself as someone who is with the meek, the lowly, the broken, and not only with us (for I am definitely meek and low and broken) but God is someone who revives my spirit. The God of the universe, who is above the greatest king/president/ruler/thinker/being chooses to reanimate me, to resurrect my heart, and all of our hearts. He is the one who, with the others in the trinity, visit Abraham and Sarah, taking on human form to share the preposterous news that old Abraham and Sarah would have a child. 

 

Reflection

What are other scriptures where God meets with people to either share news or comfort them?  Whether the burning bush with Moses, Jesus lifting Peter from the waves, encouraging Gideon to lead the Jews into battle, God passing by Elijah, there are many instances of a personal encounter with the living God–whether in the old or the new testament, whether by the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit.

 

Personal Prayer

Father, open my heart to your presence in my life. Fill me with your love, and remind me throughout the day that you are a living, active force for good in my life. May I praise you in the morning when I wake, in the afternoon when I grow tired, and at night after you have guided me through another day. 

 

Shared Prayer Focus

Please pray that God would reveal himself to those you love in a dream, and that they would know how much God loves them and cares for them.

 

Prayer Requests & Praise Reports

No matter how small, please reply with a praise report, and send any and all prayer needs!