The Presence of God – Holy, Holy, Holy

Although God wants His people to be holy as He is holy, He does not deal with us according to the degree of our holiness but according to the abundance of His mercy. A. W. Tozer

When we sing songs about God’s holiness during corporate worship, I often see the congregation putting their hearts and souls into singing out the word, “Holy.” This would make me wonder about what God’s holiness looks like. I find it difficult to come up with imagery that would depict this. But then I remember that there is a sense of mystery in the holiness of God that makes it unfathomable for us to understand this fully. Perhaps Isaiah’s vision in Isaiah 6 lifts the veil of mystery for us just a little. Isaiah 6:1-3 says,

“In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

Holy God, Merciful God

The absolute majesty and splendour of what they saw compelled them to cry, “Holy, Holy, Holy.” They not only saw the glory of the Lord, but they saw the glory of God covering the whole earth. What amazes me is Isaiah’s response to seeing God upon His throne. He says in verse 5,

“And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!””

He understood that in the presence of a holy God, all would be exposed. His lostness, his sin, his unworthiness. His acknowledgement of his sinful nature, verbalising it, brings about a merciful and loving response from the throne. Isaiah is assured that His guilt has been taken away and his sins atoned for (Isaiah 6:6-7).

When we are given just a glimpse into the holiness of God, we will, like Isaiah, stand in awe at the weight of His glory. We will stand in awe of a gracious and merciful God who sees our sinful nature and yet loves us truly and deeply. As followers of Jesus, we have the wonderful assurance that the blood of Jesus atones for us, washes us clean.

O precious is the flow that makes me white as snow; no other fount I know; nothing but the blood of Jesus. Robert Lowry

Reflection 

Do you have difficulty understanding God’s holiness? Why not ask Him to help you understand this in the light of His mercy and our sinful nature?

Prayer

Thank You, Lord, that You are a holy God, but at the same time a merciful, gracious and loving God. Help me understand more of Your holiness so that my life may honour and glorify You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.