spirit of man

The High and Lofty One

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For thus saith the High and Lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.  For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.  For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid Me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.  I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.
Isaiah 57:15-18

The LORD God Almighty is giving Isaiah these words. Let me show you what we can know and learn about God, who calls Himself the High and Lofty One.

First of all He is higher than His creation. He inhabits eternity, and that means eternity of our past, present, and future. Also note that He has a certain kind of people who dwell with Him;

Second, God dwells in a high and holy place with them that is of a contrite and humble spirit. They are His for the purpose of reviving the spirit of those who are humble and reviving the heart of the contrite ones (broken, crushed).

Third, God says, “I will not contend forever.” Since Israel had been contentious toward the LORD many times God had a controversy with them. These words have both a negative and positive lesson for us to see, and know;

  1. Negatively – it could be  that God is warning His people that I am through with you;
  2. Positively – it is saying My discipline, My judgment is complete, and I will now give you a new life in Me.

Fourth, God is telling Isaiah that He will not be full of wrath always because He knows that too much will break their spirit, and weaken them spiritually. The spirit of the nation and individuals is what pulls us along, and when the spirit of a man or nation is crushed they need a healer, and though God has shown wrath against our evil; He also displays, and gives us mercy and grace.

Fifth, God says, “I have seen his ways” and yet God shows mercy, and says, “I will heal him.” Who will He heal? Those with a humble spirit, and those with a contrite (broken or crushed) heart.

God wants you today if you have a broken heart, you feel that no one cares for you, you feel beat down; then, call on the name of Jesus Christ. He is the Son of God, God the Son. He came to dwell among us, gave His life on the cross for us was buried: carrying away our sin and shame; and He rose from the grave in which His body was laid.

Call on Him today.

The Judgment of The LORD

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Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together before the LORD; for He cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall He judge the world, and the people with equity.
Psalm 98:8-9

The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
Proverbs 20:27

The Mind of Christ

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“And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.  For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.  And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, ‘Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.’  But God hath revealed unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.  For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know because they are spiritually discerned.  But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.”  1 Corinthians 2:1-16  (KJB)

References: Galations 6:14; 2 Corinthians 4:7; Romans 16:25; Isaiah 64:4; Proverbs 20:7; 2 Peter 1:16

The Wise Counsel

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“Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: and by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety. Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.” Proverbs 24:3-7 (KJV)

A short study of the twenty fourth chapter…

VERSES 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 19-20, 24 – The evil and the wicked. The wise are instructed to not envy the evil. The devices of the evil and the wicked are contrary to God, and the wise.
Those who are just and righteous (v. 16) when they are knocked down, will get back up; but he wicked “shal fall into mischief”.

“Candle of the wicked” (v. 20) probably refers to the spirit within every man, which is the door way to knowing God. Look at these verses… Job 21:17; Psalm 18:28; Proverbs 20:27.

To call the wicked “righteous” is to bring a curse on the one who does it (v. 24).

VERSES 3 – 7, 27 – Wisdom is needed in building a house and a home; in filling that home with material blessings as well as true riches.

The foolish man does not know what to speak when it is time for good judgment (v. 7).

There is wisdom in being prepared before one builds a home (v. 27).

VERSES 10 -14 – Wisdom leads to strength to stand in times of adversity. Understanding will help us make the right decision at important, difficult times; for ourselves and others (vv. 11-12).

On verses 13-14 – The ESV Study Bible notes state…

“Prov. 24:13–14… …Just as honey is sweet to the taste and good for the body, so wisdom is pleasant to the soul that feeds on it, fostering a secure hope (cf. v. 20; see notes on 23:17–18; Ps. 37:9).”

VERSES 17 – 18 – It is not wise to rejoice when we see an enemy, or a foolish individual fall.

VERSES 28 – 34 – We ought always to refuse to return evil for evil (vv. 28-29; Romans 12:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Peter 3:9). The wise man or woman will not allow themselves to grow slack in following that which is good.