I wonder at times, where does God dwell? What does he look for in me? Why does he feel distant at times?

¹⁵. . . the Holy One says this:“I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.

Isaiah 57:15

So, I find my pride and self-sufficiency keep me from intimacy with God. Even my well-intentioned spiritual activity does not bring the closeness I desire if my heart remains proud and unrepentant.

¹⁶You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. ¹⁷The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

Psalm 51:16-17

In his letter to Corinth, Paul said there are two kinds of sorrow. Godly sorrow (I’m sorry for what I did. I was wrong.) which leads to repentance and restoration with God. The other, worldly sorrow (I’m sorry I got caught.), leads away from God and into spiritual death.

What does a broken, repentant heart sound like? Painfully honest, like this…

³For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. ⁴Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.

Psalm 51:3-4

If God seems distant, examine your heart? Have you allowed pride to be your companion? Is your heart getting hard around the edges as you make excuses for sinful behavior? Are you sorry you got caught, but not really sorry for what you did? Restoration is only a prayer away. Follow David’s example in Psalm 51 if you need some help getting started!