The Position of Renewal

Isaiah 57:15 ESV

15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

“The One” — in most modern translations the word “One” is capitalized to let the reader grasp we are referring to none other than THE LORD God.

So here we see the defining of the One who is about to speak.

Secondly, in part a of our text we see the position/place of the One who is about to speak. — “high and lifted up”

When the reader heard the start of this verse, if he/she was learned in the text would quickly revert back to Isaiah’s vision in chapter 6.

Isaiah 6:1 (ESV)

1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.

Isaiah was not speaking of someone with which he was unacquainted, but of the very Lord.

Isaiah 6:2–4 ESV

2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.

Isaiah 6:5–6 ESV

5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.

Isaiah 6:7 ESV

7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

God is Holy!

Isaiah 57:15 (ESV)

15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

What is the outflow of the name of God being “Holy”!?

The name is synonymous with the Life.

In essence, God’s name is Holy because He is Holy.

We approach Him in His holiness and we should be driven to recognize His character and position before approaching Him.

God Lives In The Holy Place & In Holy Relationship!

Isaiah 57:15 (ESV)

15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

So the Life of Him is Holy

The Dwelling Place is Holy

His relationships are with those who recognize His life, Place, & Position and respond accordingly.

Isaiah 52:13 ESV

13 Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted.

God Revives the Lowly & Contrite!

So if we are referring to the position of Renewal we must first grip the position of those the Lord says He will revive.

The Lowly -Matt. 5:3

Matthew 5:3 ESV

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

2. The Contrite - Ps. 51:17

Psalm 51:17 ESV

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Walking Away, But In...

God is Holy

Our response is to become lowly & contrite