Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 99:5-9
Ps. 99:5-9
5 Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy. 6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who called on his name; they called on the LORD and he answered them. 7 He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them. 8 O LORD our God, you answered them; you were to Israel a forgiving God, though you punished their misdeeds. 9 Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy.
1 Peter 1:13-16
13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
To be holy is to be separated or set apart. In an absolute sense God alone is holy because he is above all else in heaven and on earth. There is none like him. In the Proverbs we read that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of both knowledge and wisdom. James says we are to pray for wisdom and later tells us that this wisdom is from above, from God. Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord our God!
But we are told that we are a holy people and a holy nation because we have been cleansed from sin by the blood of Jesus our Savior. This relational change takes place when we by faith are baptized into Christ. We are then told to be holy in our behavior, even as God is holy. We are ever working to become like him.
Paul says that we are God’s workmanship in Christ, created to do good works. He also says we are to work out our salvation but adds that it is God who works in us to both will and to do his good will. So we are told that we are being made holy by our Lord. As the Holy Spirit works in us to mold us and change us, the result (his fruit) is being produced in our lives. This change shows Jesus in us by the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control that replaces our selfishness, stubbornness, envy, hatred and wickedness.
Heavenly Father, you are Holy and Righteous above all else in both heaven and earth. Keep me from ever doing or saying anything that would dishonor you or in any way bring you down to my level of mankind. I do want to become like you and I know that when this life is over, I will be glorified and given an immortal body to be with you forever. Thank you for saving me by the blood of Jesus. I need your changing power in my life as I seek to be holy in this wicked world. Help me reach out to others with your love, your mercy and your grace. In Jesus name.
Robert
