NAVIGATING CRISES (part four)

Principle Four: God’s holiness is unchanged

And one cried to another and said: “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isaiah 6:3)

           The vision God gave Isaiah upon King Uzziah’s death gives us insight into how to confront the crises that come into our life. Uzziah’s death threw the nation into an abrupt period of uncertainty and distress. Yet, God stepped in and reminded Isaiah of several principles that apply to our life, also, when crises come:

           Principle One: Look to God. Our tendency is to focus on circumstances or self. Our first reaction should be to look to God.

           Principle Two: The Lord sits on His throne. A W Tozer said, “While it looks like things are out of control, behind the scenes there is a God who has not surrendered His authority.” Isaiah saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up.

           Principle Three: God’s holiness is unchanged. In His vision, Isaiah saw seraphim, which some believe are angels. They have six wings. They cover their face with two and their feet with two, then fly with the remaining two. Then one cried to the other: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts.

           In the Hebrew language, intensity is emphasized by repetition. God’s attribute of holiness is elevated to the third degree. The root of the word holiness means set apart. It describes someone or something set apart from other persons or things. We know believers are set apart. We are set apart from the world and to a unique relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We are set apart from sin and consecrated unto God.

           Recognizing God’s holiness is one way we praise God as we thank Him for all His wonderful attributes.

           In this vision, recorded in this passage, we find five facts about God’s holiness:

           First, God’s holiness doesn’t change. Even in crisis moments, when a nation is in turmoil, God’s nature doesn’t change one iota. God is the same yesterday, today and forever more.

           Second, God’s holiness is tied to His purity. His holiness encompasses His purity.

           Third, His holiness is the perfection of all His other attributes. It’s not part of who He is. It’s simply who He is.

           Fourth, God’s holiness is incomparable. There is no one like God.

           Fifth, God’s holiness is powerful to behold. Glance a Isaiah 6:4. When God showed Isaiah His holiness, the earth quaked and the temple filled with smoke. God really showed up and showed out, displaying His presence and power. There was an unmistakable effect.

           How did Isaiah react to God’s holiness? How would you react?

           He immediately realized and acknowledge his unworthiness: “Woe is me, for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips.” To see ourselves as we really are, sinners saved by grace, is an eye-opening experience.