They were calling out to each other: "Holy, holy, holy! The LORD Almighty is holy! His glory fills the world." Isaiah 6:3, GNT

 

Each one of the four living creatures had six wings, and they were covered with eyes, inside and out. Day and night they never stop singing: "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was, who is, and who is to come." Revelation 4: 8, GNT

 

When we say that God is holy, we cannot simply see it as a characteristic or quality. God’s holiness is at the centre of who he is. The word holy can be seen as perfection, solemnity, being dignified, sacred, sanctified, separate or set aside. An example of this is when the holy objects in the temple were set aside or consecrated for only one purpose. Using them for anything or anywhere else was forbidden and such use would desecrate them and make them worthless.

 

In both the Old and New Testaments, God is described as being incomparably different from and transcendently above all creation. When we talk about his holiness, it actually means that he is completely different from us and far greater than anything that we are able to fathom with our limited human minds.

 

In the two verses for today, God’s mighty presence is connected to his holiness. Between Isaiah and John there is a timespan of more than 700 years, yet when the holiness of God is being extolled in these two visions, it is almost identical. Isaiah saw the Lord sitting on a high throne with seraphs calling “Holy, holy, holy! The LORD Almighty is holy!” John also saw a throne with somebody sitting on it and the four living creatures singing “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty.”

 

These awe-inspiring visions help us to see the total difference between us as humans and God as the almighty and holy one.

 

Although it is awe-inspiring, it should not terrify us. Yes, we have to revere God when we think about his holiness, but it also gives us a wonderful reassurance. Our God is more distinctive and special than anything or anybody in all of creation. And yet, in spite of his greatness and holiness and our insignificance, he loves us as a father loves his children.

 

Prayer: Thank you, dear Father, that you, so great and holy, came down to our level through your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.