But to build anything and to make it last calls for discipline, the inner discipline that a man provides for himself and the cooperative discipline that men give to each other.”
–Louis L’Amour (Bendigo Shafter)
“Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”
“Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”
–Psalm 127:1 (NKJV)
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God is holy! His holiness demands a response from us. It may be a negative response by some, but it is still made. As believers, our response should be one of awe, reverence, and worship. It should be one of obedience and doing things that please Him. Perhaps one of the most dangerous responses to God’s holiness is that of apathy and negligence; not caring one way or another. Psalm 99 is a response to the holiness of God.
6 — Moses and Aaron were among His priests, and Samuel was among those who called upon His name; they called upon the LORD, and He answered them.
7 — He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar; they kept His testimonies and the ordinance He gave them.
8 — You answered them O LORD our God; You were to them God-Who-Forgives, though You took vengeance on their deeds.
9 — Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy. (NKJV)
One of the first things to remember when calling upon the Lord is His sovereignty. We cannot, or should not say, “this is the way I want it done.” We must place our petitions and supplications in His hands. Just as with Aaron, Moses, and Samuel, He will hear and answer. Steven Lawson states, “Divine sovereignty operates in perfect concert with man’s prayers, not independent of them. His reign does not bypass people but works in and through their minds, hearts, wills, and actions.” Providence, or sovereignty, is God working in this world. He works all things together to bring about His purpose, and if we trust Him, for our good.
Even though we see in the psalm that God answers, we do not see any real intimacy. “God is holy. Before I am invited to be His friend, I must willingly become His subject.” (George O. Wood) He listens to His people, especially those who draw near to Him, thus the mention of Moses, Aaron, and Samuel. They knew His voice, they could hear Him speak clearly. God is shown to be forgiving and pardoning and restoring, but He also disciplines; He punishes our misdeeds and corrects us. The writer of Hebrews wrote, “For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” Yes, there is pardon, but there is also rebuke. He is our heavenly Father–He is holy.
Since God is set apart from the world, so should we be also. Believers should come together by setting themselves apart in worshipping Him. Our God is not an idol nor does He remain idle. He is always working, sustaining, pardoning, chastising, redeeming, and working out His purpose and will. He is a God who speaks and it is done. He is the subject of none; no one can thwart His will. Worship the Lord–for “our God is holy”!
“Sinners, who love can ne’er forget
The wormwood and the gall,
Go, spread your trophies at His feet,
And crown Him Lord of all.”
–Edward Perronet
————————————–
God is holy! His holiness demands a response from us. It may be a negative response by some, but it is still made. As believers, our response should be one of awe, reverence, and worship. It should be one of obedience and doing things that please Him. Perhaps one of the most dangerous responses to God’s holiness is that of apathy and negligence; not caring one way or another. Psalm 99 is a response to the holiness of God.
6 — Moses and Aaron were among His priests, and Samuel was among those who called upon His name; they called upon the LORD, and He answered them.
7 — He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar; they kept His testimonies and the ordinance He gave them.
8 — You answered them O LORD our God; You were to them God-Who-Forgives, though You took vengeance on their deeds.
9 — Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy. (NKJV)
One of the first things to remember when calling upon the Lord is His sovereignty. We cannot, or should not say, “this is the way I want it done.” We must place our petitions and supplications in His hands. Just as with Aaron, Moses, and Samuel, He will hear and answer. Steven Lawson states, “Divine sovereignty operates in perfect concert with man’s prayers, not independent of them. His reign does not bypass people but works in and through their minds, hearts, wills, and actions.” Providence, or sovereignty, is God working in this world. He works all things together to bring about His purpose, and if we trust Him, for our good.
Even though we see in the psalm that God answers, we do not see any real intimacy. “God is holy. Before I am invited to be His friend, I must willingly become His subject.” (George O. Wood) He listens to His people, especially those who draw near to Him, thus the mention of Moses, Aaron, and Samuel. They knew His voice, they could hear Him speak clearly. God is shown to be forgiving and pardoning and restoring, but He also disciplines; He punishes our misdeeds and corrects us. The writer of Hebrews wrote, “For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” Yes, there is pardon, but there is also rebuke. He is our heavenly Father–He is holy.
Since God is set apart from the world, so should we be also. Believers should come together by setting themselves apart in worshipping Him. Our God is not an idol nor does He remain idle. He is always working, sustaining, pardoning, chastising, redeeming, and working out His purpose and will. He is a God who speaks and it is done. He is the subject of none; no one can thwart His will. Worship the Lord–for “our God is holy”!
“Sinners, who love can ne’er forget
The wormwood and the gall,
Go, spread your trophies at His feet,
And crown Him Lord of all.”
–Edward Perronet