Second homes tend to be nice, and I’ve enjoyed my stays at many generous friends’ places. You might be surprised, however, with the Lord’s second home. It’s described in this promise straight from God himself:

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 heart of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”

The almighty God lives in two places at once. One castle stands lofty and kingly and powerful—all you would expect from his fiery presence. The other home is next to those who come to the Lord remorseful and penitent, seeking the grace they know they don’t deserve.

The Lord doesn’t bunk with the greedy or prideful or wicked (no rest for them, in fact). He shares no super yacht with business moguls and no mansions with world leaders.

Unless—they also turn to the Lord with a contrite heart. Here’s a prayer from David, the most powerful leader of his era:

But as for me, I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay.

In David’s prayer of humility we see why he was referred to as a man after God’s own heart. Reassuring to know that as the Lord lived with David, he lives with anyone today who approaches him contrite and lowly in spirit.

Isaiah 57 & Psalm 70 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Mateus Campos Felipe