I don’t know about you, but sometimes it’s just so easy to neglect the holiness of God. It’s not that I forget that he’s holy but rather I neglect to be conscious of this fact, careless at times. A subtle slacking can be effortless but leaves a dullness in its shadow. I’m not suggesting that I should be walking around in a hair shirt and whipping myself because of my humanity. After all, this was the whole purpose of Christ’s crucifixion—to set us free from that fallen human condition of sin. Yet, freedom can also give us a false sense of comfort about our own goodness. Forgiveness is a gift. I’ve done nothing to earn it. Christ did everything to give it.
So, what does holy mean? Well, Webster’s says “exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness”. While God cannot be defined to our full understanding, he has clearly revealed aspects of his nature and character through his creation and written Word. In the Old Testament he manifested himself in very majestical ways. He appeared to Moses in the burning bush. He guided the Israelites through the wilderness with his constant presence in the pillar of fire. In the New Testament 1 Timothy 6:15-16 refers to him as “he who is blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion.” These are some seriously powerful images.
This is a God who deserves my reverence. He is not a Sunday morning God or a religious holiday God. He is an ever-present, every day God. In fact, he is my Heavenly Father. He is a person, not an entity detached from me and my life. His transcendent, unapproachable light descended in the form of Jesus to make himself known to me, to you, to everyone. How much more worthy is he of our attention?
Life is busy and there are commitments and responsibilities that thread their way through our lives. And we are meant to take care of these things. We are not asked to be on our knees 24/7 like the cloistered monastery life. Family, friendships, work and play are all gifts from above. We are intended to enjoy this life in all its abundance. However, let’s keep in mind from Whom and where these great blessings come. Let’s remember the holy, holy, holy Giver the angels see daily and bow before in reverence. One day, we too, by God’s grace, will see him face to face. Let’s bow now so we don’t need to tremble later. Let the first light of each morning fill us with a sense of awe and reflect on the Maker of all things good and beautiful.
“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”
Hebrews 2:1-3
“For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
Hebrews 2:16-18 ESV
