“And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’” – Isaiah 6:3

The overarching theme of the Old Testament is God’s holiness. Holiness refers to that fact that God is completely set apart from His creation. The Old Testament reminds us over and over again that no one has the right to approach Him. Even the angels in heaven eternally sing the marvels of His holiness. However, the overarching theme of the New Testament is God’s intimacy with us. So close, in fact, that He has even walked in our flesh, and brought us into His family.

In the midst of this incredible intimacy, it is easy to lose sight of God’s holiness. But we must never do this! It is vital that we understand the holiness of God before we understand the intimacy of God, or we will never truly appreciate the fullness of God’s intimacy. We understand and meditate on the fact that the presence of God is an awesome and fearful place. Then, and only then, will we truly be able to rejoice along with the apostle John when he says, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1)

Heavenly Father, You are holy, righteous, and set apart. And yet You have loved us and called us Your children. Let us never lose sight of the amazing beauty of both of these truths.

In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Shane Cannon