January 2 – Pursuing Holiness

“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!”” -  Isaiah 6:5 (ESV)

These words by the prophet Isaiah are found in the book with his name. Much can be learned from this passage and this verse expresses what happens when we encounter an exalted view of God and His holiness. We see a clear view of sin and a realistic view of ourselves. We understand that Isaiah may have been satisfied with his personal holiness until he saw this vision of the Lord God in His unspeakable glory. If we have a diminished view of God we will have a reduced concern for sin and an inflated view of self. Truly, it is impossible to worship God and remain unchanged. Isaiah’s encounter with holy God made him immediately and keenly aware of his own lack of holiness and of the sinfulness of those around him. God does not want us to be conformed to a sinful world seeking its pleasures and attracted by temptations that are traps and snares to unholy living. God desires in us a clear difference between ourselves and the world. God wants to sanctify us, to make us holy as He is holy. That is a promise made to every faith believer.  

195

December 1 – Standing on High Ground

“From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”  Psalm 61:2 (NASB)

No matter what we are facing today we have a God who is above and greater than any problem.  David of course was a man who had spent a lot of his time in the outdoors in and area where there were many large rocks.   A rock to him was something strong and solid and provided a firm place to stand.  It also provided a better view of his surroundings.  He writes about the rock that is higher than us.   David knew that when he felt lost, like he was at the end of the earth, God was where he needed to be to find his way back.  David recognized that God was greater than any of His creatures.  We too can recognize the truth of this promise.  If we follow God we will find ourselves on the high ground with Him and God will guide our paths to where we should be.  God knows the answer we need when our heart is about to fail us.  God will never fail us for he will lift us up above our troubles and carry us to where we should be.  He promises to be much more able to solve our problems than we are and when He leads us we will be able to see so much more clearly. 

#-#-#

Please take a moment to share with friends.