In His Presence
“Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy.”
Have you ever felt a sense of honor when you come face to face with someone you deeply respect but have only known from a distance?
I remember when I was a conference in Sun Valley at Grace Community Church, a few pastor friends and I were sitting around a table catching up over coffee. It was right before the evening worship service and we were getting ready to get up and go inside the worship center. As we were sitting, someone walks over and briefly greets us. I was facing my friends and I turn over and it was the late theologian-pastor, Dr. John MacArthur.
It was only a short moment, just a greeting. Nothing long or formal but we were surprised. Honestly in that moment that was a deep sense of respect. Not because he is a celebrity in a worldly sense but because of the influence, teaching, and weight of his ministry that we had respected for so long. He made an impact world-wide including those of us sitting at that coffee table.
But as real as that moment of respect was, it reminds us of something greater. It we can feel a sense of respect toward someone we admire from a distance, how much greater should our response be when we come before the presence of the living, holy God?
As we continue in the psalms for our devotion this week, we come across the 99th chapter where it centers on one overwhelming truth which is that God is holy. The psalm begins with this powerful declaration that has been repeated in the previous psalm, the Lord reigns. He is not far away or not involved, He reigns over all the earth. His name will be exalted above the nations, enthroned between the cherubim, ruling with authority.
Our natural response ought to continue to be reverence, honor, and worship. The psalmist then calls upon the people to tremble. Not out of fear alone but out of deep recognition of who God is. He is not like us but set apart. It is where we get the word sanctify from, which means to be set apart or to be holy. God is set apart. He is perfect in power, justice, and righteousness.
Yet today’s psalm doesn’t just show us a holy God, it shows us that He is a just and relational God as well. He is for justice, establishes equity, and executes righteousness. His holiness is not cold but it is expressed through His perfect justice and His righteousness will rule over all His people.
We find great reminders through biblical figures such as Moses, Aaron, and Samuel. All who were men that called upon the Lord and He answered them. Our God is a relational One who always listens. He is the One that guides them on their path for His glory.
God also disciplines those that have sinned against Him yet He also forgives those that repent and return to Him. God is the One of mercy and justice. All of which is summarized by one truth repeated once more, the Lord our God is holy.
