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. (Isaiah 57:15, ESV)
Now and then, we see major golf brands marketing products by offering a round of golf with a marquee player if we “enter to win;” second place might be a driver, a set of irons, or a new wardrobe.
I’ve never entered one of these promotional events, but playing 18 with Tiger, Scottie, or Rory is highly appealing. To have one of the “greats” descend for an afternoon, walk the fairways together, and watch them up close would be a blast.
Many years ago, I had the opportunity to play with the late Payne Stewart, Paul Azinger, and Greg Norman, among others. As the time drew near to tee it up with these men, I always recalled something a former coach would say before games.
He would say, “They put their pants on just like you.” This implied, “You can beat these guys.” He usually said this about a team we had no chance to beat. This occasionally works for a football team. Needless to say, it did not work for me against these guys.
One of the lasting impressions I had from those moments was Paul’s humility. He seemed to genuinely enjoy hanging out with another mortal. He knew I put my pants on just like him. Obviously, he did not need a motivational speech to win.
To have some of the best players in the world condescend to spend time with a “lesser mortal” is commendable. Walking the fairways in a pro-am with someone of this caliber was a boatload of fun.
One of the things I remember most was a positive comment Paul made about a particular swing I made. He could have just as quickly pointed out one of the many deficiencies he saw, but he chose to say something positive. Trust me, I would have listened intently to a corrective observation, too.
To have someone in the Top 125 spend time with you on the course, get involved with your swing, and show interest in your life is meaningful stuff.
To have the Creator of all things, visible and invisible, descend from his infinitely lofty throne to get involved in your life is beyond the telling.
To know that a transcendent God dwells in the “high and holy place” is one thing; to know and experience his condescending personal love is quite another. In Isaiah, the incomprehensibly great God promises to dwell with those who humble themselves before him.
Like you, I’ve certainly known seasons when I felt his absence. There have been plenty of occasions when God seemed a million miles away. And even though I knew his promise never to leave or forsake me, it remains true: I felt abandoned.
Perhaps some stupid sin(s) created a relational breach between us, maybe a tough season of life created a sense of separation, or perhaps persistent accusations from the enemy that got through my best efforts to resist wore me down.
Whatever the issues are, they can be resolved when we humble ourselves before him and cultivate a contrite heart. Bowing low before the Father of all glory invariably invites his prevailing presence in our lives and revives us when we are downcast.
To spend our lives attempting to make much of ourselves is a fool’s errand. Rather than that, let’s begin or begin again by approaching the throne of grace with contrite hearts and overflowing gratitude that the Prince of Peace left his heavenly castle and came to rescue us.
Prayer: Jesus! Forgive my senseless and silly pride. Draw near to me in mercy, grace, and love!