A HIGH AND HOLY GOD

A HIGH AND HOLY GOD!

Isa 57:15-21

15 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.

16 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.

17 For the iniquity of his [ Judah’s] covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly [kept on backsliding] in the way of his heart.

18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.

19 I create the fruit of the lips; [I will restore praise to his lips] Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.

20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.

21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

Isa 6:1-3

6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

IT MATTERS HOW WE VIEW GOD!

Isaiah continues to see Jehovah in the way that he first saw Him in chapter six, Holy and exalted. This is as it should be! Because Calvary has made God instantly accessible we have made him casual and familiar. In making Him our Friend I fear we have ceased to see Him as Lord. In making His Word more readable, through multiple modern translations, we have lost the awesome majesty of His words.

WHO HE IS DETERMINES HOW HE ACTS AND REACTS TO US!

God is Holy! That is His name! He dwells in a holy place with others He Himself has made holy also. This is both good and bad news. Those who have been made holy by the blood of His Son Jesus will one day dwell with him but the wicked can not dwell. The wicked is so incompatible with the holy that both would be eternally frustrated if the wicked should reside in heaven. Like eggs and golf balls, both are of the same color and relative size but they have different natures. You might refrigerate golf balls but could never eat them. You might smash an egg off the tee box but the result would not be pleasant. Each has his own place. They can not dwell together.

GOD TRANSFORMS THE CONTRITE IN HEART!

The holy God is easily entreated and responds favorably to those who are bruised with sorrow for their sin. To view our sin in the same way that God views them is to share His nature and opinion. God moves quickly to solidify this and to transform the penitent into a holy being through redemption. The penitent has been enlightened by the Spirit, convinced of his sinfulness and brought to repentance. God continues to fashion him for His own holy dwelling place.

GOD PUTS PRAISE ON OUR LIPS!

If Judah would repent and turn from his backsliding ways (see v.18) God would remove the affliction which is only to turn him and would replace the pining with praise. But there is no peace, God says, to the wicked. His own wickedness afflicts him. His thoughts control him and his deeds destroy him.

But we are built for praise! Heaven is a holy place inhabited by holy people. It is not, as some think, a place where our every lust will be satisfied. It is a place where our spirit and our heart is revived and restored.

Oh Lord! Early will I praise thee! I will bless thee as long as my soul lives. Purge me and I shall be clean. Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. AMEN