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.” Isaiah 57:15
In 1990, country music singer/songwriter Garth Brooks scored a big hit with a song titled “Friends in Low Places.” While his song was just a bit on the unsavory side, Brooks did manage to address how he felt about those who may be seen by others as living on the wrong side of life. Truly, no one can count themselves as being better than their neighbor. In fact, the Bible is filled with examples of people who had friends in low places, whose desire it was to live in a much higher place.
As students of God’s Word, we understand that our God dwells in the highest most holy place, the kingdom of Heaven. Such goes without saying, but even still, God himself reminds us of his majesty and the truth of his sovereignty when he says, “I dwell in the high and holy place” (Isaiah 57:15).
Of course, the Most High God dwells in a high place. He is the Holy One, so naturally he dwells in the Holy Place. But what follows comes as good news. Not only does the Lord say he dwells in the highest place, but God follows that with these words; “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.” And just in case you’re not sure who God is speaking of, he means sinners.
The Most High God, the almighty and glorious One chooses, out of divine love, to dwell with those who are among the most low. As Martin Luther once said, “The farther one is beneath God, the better does God see him.” How low will God go to have compassion upon sinners? Well, remember Jesus touched lepers, he counseled and restored prostitutes, he cast demons out of the possessed, he welcomed the poor and neglected. Our Lord Jesus even promised paradise to a thief who was crucified next to him. No place and no one is too low for God.
And not only does our Lord see us clearly the lower we are, but he comes alongside us when we are at the lowest points in life. God is always with us when we find ourselves in the pit of wilderness. He is with us in the cemetery and in the hospital room. God is with us when we are lonely, heartbroken, or simply broken by our own fault. God is with the contrite adulterer, the sorrowful alcoholic, the shameful addict. Our Loving God sees us clearly and is willing to dwell with us even in our most shameful times. Why, because Jesus has overcome all of these and promises mercy to those who are repentant.
For those who call upon the Lord for help, there is the One who is Most High. In our loneliness and especially in our lowliness, Jesus comes with arms open wide to show his compassion and love. Christ reminds us that through his life, death and resurrection, his love endures forever. The love God pours out upon sinners through his Son Jesus of Nazareth proclaims that God is for us and with us, in good times as well as bad. His is the love that we are to share with others when they are in need of hearing the good news of the Gospel.
No, Garth Brooks was not speaking prophetically, but what he said of himself and his friends is most certainly true of God and sinners. Through the saving work of Christ Jesus, God surely has friends in low places.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David
