God Is Holy

God Is Holy

God Is Holy
Today’s Text: Isaiah 6:1-5
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God’s holiness so deeply impacted Isaiah he thought his life was over. In all likelihood, he recalled the words of God to Moses saying, “no man shall see Me and live” (Ex.33:20). Whether a vision or a view into the heavenly realm, we know Isaiah was never the same.

 

ISAIAH 6:1-5
“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.

Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.

And one cried to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!’

And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.

So I said: ‘Woe is me, for I am undone!’”

 

God’s absolute holiness transcends everything in His creation.

Milky Way above Trona Pinnacles National Landmark.

 

God is the antithesis of all that is profane and evil. The apostle John captures His essence asserting, “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 Jn. 1:5).

Holiness, however, is more than just an attribute ascribed to God. The holiness of God motivates His every action. It governs His every attitude and deed.

God’s holiness is at the heart of His hatred for all that is evil. God’s holiness also drives His love for everything that is good. The psalms clarify this truth: “God is angry with the wicked every day,” while at the same time, “the Lord preserves all who love Him” (Ps. 7:11; 145:20).

Isaiah describes God as, “the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy” (Isa. 57:15). God’s holiness most effectively expresses His identity; every facet of His being demonstrates His holiness. Nothing can in any way violate His infinite holiness that governs every attribute, attitude and action.

God’s holiness, however, is not passive. The Hebrew word kadosh translated “holy” literally means separate or set apart. But, He is not sequestered away in some far-flung corner of the universe out of fear of contact with His fallen creation.

God is active in every aspect of creation; and, those redeemed by grace through faith can enjoy fellowship with Him.

Detail: Milky Way above Trona Pinnacles National Landmark.

His holiness is dynamic, which explains the psalmist’s reassurance that, “the Lord is near to all who call upon Him” (Ps. 145:18). Paul echoes, “He is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27).

Even more intriguing, the holy God witnessed by Isaiah desires fellowship with us: “the Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth” (v. 18, emphasis added).

The next time you gaze into the vastness of the night sky, be reminded that God desires fellowship with you. Don’t be afraid. Instead, be thankful that you can have a relationship with the holy God of creation; and, like Isaiah, you will never be the same!

 

Rev. Charles E. McCracken. Biblically Authentic - Standing with Israel.

Charles E. McCracken. Biblically Authentic – Standing with Israel

Charles E. McCracken is an international Bible teacher, long-time friend of Israel and advocate for the Jewish people. Rev. McCracken authentically communicates biblical truth making his presentations relevant for those seeking to understand the significance of Israel and the church in Bible prophecy. He staunchly supports the nation of Israel and the Jewish people’s right to exist and live in peace.

© Charles E. McCracken 2016, devotional comments only. Repost/Reprint with permission from the author via Contact Form under ABOUT. Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (Emphasis added.)

IMAGE:
1) Milky Way above Trona Pinnacles National Landmark. By Ian Norman (http://www.lonelyspeck.com,) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons – Enhancement: MKM Portfolios