Tag Archives: holiness

Blameless Ways

29 Thursday Dec 2016

Posted by in Psalm 119, Psalms

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Reading:                                        Psalm 119

א Aleph

(Verses 1-8)

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
    who walk according to the law of the LORD.
Blessed are those who keep his statutes
    and seek him with all their heart—
they do no wrong
    but follow his ways.
You have laid down precepts
    that are to be fully obeyed.
Oh, that my ways were steadfast
    in obeying your decrees!
Then I would not be put to shame
    when I consider all your commands.
 I will praise you with an upright heart
    as I learn your righteous laws.
I will obey your decrees;
    do not utterly forsake me (NIV).

Reflection

We are about to start a twenty-two day journey through Psalm 119, the longest Psalm in the Bible. This is also an acrostic poem, which in this case means each stanza of this poetic psalm begins with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The section above for instance, begins with the letter Aleph, which roughly corresponds to our letter A. Also, within each alphabetic stanza are eight verses, which all begin with the same Hebrew letter. In this way the psalm’s composer works his way through the entire twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This psalm is a truly remarkable literary composition, which was originally structured to be memorized, like the alphabet. Alas, for the English reader, much of the elaborate, intricate beauty of this psalm is lost the moment it is translated from its original tongue.

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A misty September morning near Dow’s Lake, Ottawa, ON — photo by David Kitz

The theme of this psalm is consistent throughout. It is a poetic testimony in praise of God’s holy, unchanging word. Here we find the alpha and omega of the psalms—a literary tribute to the A to Z wonder of God’s word. Every letter trumpets the salutary goodness of God’s written word.

From the beginning of this poetic masterpiece the author recognizes his need. His life needs to be governed by the law of the LORD. His goal and heart’s desire is to lead a blameless life. God’s blessing comes to such a person. Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart—they do no wrong but follow his ways.

In a world of injustice and moral rot the words of Psalm 119 pierce like a steel-tipped bullet to the heart.

Response: LORD God, like the psalmist I want to fall in love with your word. Here is the purpose to my desire. I want to live a blameless life that brings honor to my Maker because you are good. Amen.

Your Turn: Is holy living one of your goals? Do you see value in leading a blameless life before God?

A Blameless Heart

12 Wednesday Oct 2016

Posted by in Psalm 101, Psalms

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Reading:                                      Psalm 101                                                                   

Of David. A psalm.

(Verses 1-4)

I will sing of your love and justice;
to you, LORD, I will sing praise.
I will be careful to lead a blameless life—
when will you come to me?

I will conduct the affairs of my house
with a blameless heart.
I will not look with approval
on anything that is vile.

I hate what faithless people do;
I will have no part in it.
The perverse of heart shall be far from me;
I will have nothing to do with what is evil (NIV).

Reflection

Psalm 101 is a call to action or commitment. David, the author of this psalm, commits himself to a course of action. In this short opening portion of the psalm, David makes seven ‘I will’ statements. Each commitment is life altering in some way.

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Reflection — photo by Donald Adam

The first commitment David makes is to sing of the LORD’s justice and love. He is determined to praise his God with a full, joyous awareness of the LORD’s character. This is the true starting point of any sustained relationship with God. The LORD is both loving and just. If we emphasize aspects of God’s justice too much, we risk becoming legalistic. If we focus only on the love of God, His holiness is ignored resulting in a break down in personal responsibility. Within the Godhead there exists a perfect tension between His justice and His love. As God’s servants, we do well when we recognize and maintain that tension.

Twice David uses the word blameless. I will be careful to lead a blameless life—when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart. With these words, David has set for himself a high standard—an impossible standard. Did David succeed in reaching his lofty goal? The biblical record leaves no room for doubt. He failed miserably. In his affair with Bathsheba, King David was guilty of both adultery and murder.

Well, what good is there then in setting lofty goals? Why make any ‘I will’ statements, if I am doomed to fail? Why not freely look on the vile and indulge in it?

Actually, despite David’s stunning failures, there are many sound reasons for calling ourselves to a high standard. To put it bluntly, God expects it of us. He demands holiness from us—always has—always will. Will we succeed? Of course not. That’s why there’s the gift of repentance. That’s why there’s a Savior named Jesus. He’s the blameless one. I need his sinless record applied to my account.

Response: Dear God, I want my will to be conformed to your will. I want to lead a blameless life. By Jesus’ blood, grant me a blameless heart that is determined to love and serve you for all my days. Amen.

Your Turn: Should we set goals for ourselves? How do you measure the progress in your love for God?

He is Holy

06 Thursday Oct 2016

Posted by in Psalm 99, Psalms

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Reading:                                         Psalm 99

Verses 1-5

The LORD reigns,
let the nations tremble;
he sits enthroned between the cherubim,
let the earth shake.
Great is the LORD in Zion;
he is exalted over all the nations.
Let them praise your great and awesome name—
he is holy.

The King is mighty, he loves justice—
you have established equity;
in Jacob you have done
what is just and right.
Exalt the LORD our God
and worship at his footstool;
he is holy (NIV).

Reflection

What does it mean to be holy? There are several shades of meaning for the word holy. It can mean being consecrated or dedicated for a special purpose. It also means righteous. But the definition that fits best in the light of Psalm 99 reads like this: awe-inspiring—having a character that evokes reverence (Encarta Dictionary).

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Holiness breaks through — photo by David Kitz

The psalmist is effusive with his praise for the LORD, but three times in this short psalm, he centers back to this phrase: he is holy. Yes, the LORD reigns, He is righteous and exalted, but what has really caught the psalmist’s attention is the LORD’s holiness. That’s what sets Him apart and elevates Him above the stratosphere.

Has the LORD’s holiness caught your attention? Have you been filled with awe by the holiness of God? I fear that far too often we have diminished God. We have tried to make Him like us—powerful but a bit quirky—maybe short-tempered or set in His ways. What nonsense! Our God is holy. We need to wake up to that fact.

In the Beatitudes from his Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8). To clarify, I might add that the pure in heart will see the true God, not a distorted caricature. Our sinful nature has a way of distorting our view of the LORD. That’s why personal purity or holiness are so essential. The apostle Peter provides this admonition: As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:14-16).

Response: LORD God, I want to see you at work in my life. Help me with the help of your Holy Spirit to clean up those areas that distort my view of you. You are holy. I worship you in the beauty of your holiness. Amen.

Your Turn: Are there times when you have seen God as short-tempered or set in His ways?

Robed in Majesty

20 Tuesday Sep 2016

Posted by in Psalm 93, Psalms

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Reading:                                          Psalm 93

The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty;
the LORD is robed in majesty and armed with strength;
indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.
Your throne was established long ago;
you are from all eternity.

The seas have lifted up, LORD,
the seas have lifted up their voice;
the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.

 Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
mightier than the breakers of the sea—
the LORD on high is mighty.

Your statutes, LORD, stand firm;
holiness adorns your house
for endless days (NIV).

Reflection

What things in this world are majestic? As I write this post, I’m looking out across my front lawn where a squirrel is cavorting about. Are squirrels majestic? Certainly not in my opinion. In the animal kingdom perhaps lions or stallions are majestic in their bearing. Snow-covered mountain peaks may be majestic, but squirrels not so much. 

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Sunrise at Perce, Quebec — photo by David Kitz

Here in Psalm 93 the psalmist is trying to capture in words the might and majesty of the LORD. Surely, this is an impossible task, but the psalmist makes a valiant effort. His thoughts turn to the vast power of the sea. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the LORD on high is mighty.

Of course the might of the LORD is incomparable. How can the power of the sea be compared to the power of the One who created the sea? The comparison breaks down; it is not valid. The greatest minds find themselves grasping at straws when they try to capture the majesty and glory of the LORD.

According to the psalmist two things stand firm and secure, the world and the statutes of the LORD. How firm are the laws of the LORD established in your mind? In a world where moral relativism rules the day, absolutes are shunned. What may be deemed right and good today may be judged as unacceptable or reprehensible tomorrow. In our society it seems the opinion of the fickle masses determines what is good. God’s opinion—His statutes matter little.

But in reality—in this thing called eternity—there are things that never change. There are absolutes. On the day we die, ready or not, we will know and experience the absolutes of God. The unchanging God has not thrown out His moral law with yesterday’s garbage. The psalmist declares, “Your statutes, LORD, stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days.”

Response: LORD God, I want your holiness to adorn my house and my heart. Help me to conform to your will and your ways, rather than the other way around. You are my Lord. Reign on sovereign Lord. Amen.

Your Turn: What does God’s majesty mean to you? Do majesty and holiness fit together?

Save us, LORD

14 Thursday Jan 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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Save us, LORD God! Bring us back from among the nations. Let us celebrate and shout in praise of your holy name (Psalm 106:47, CEV).

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Morning hoarfrost — photo by Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is holiness.

In today’s reading the psalmist cries out, “Save us, LORD God!”

There’s an element of desperation in that prayer. It should be our prayer too. If holiness is what God requires then salvation is our greatest need.

We are unable to save ourselves. Holiness does not come naturally to the human soul. We need God to intervene. And that’s just what the Father did when He sent His son Jesus to suffer and die in our place.

Our redemption was purchased for us at the cross. The price was the shed blood of Jesus.

Now every believer can say, “Through Jesus, you saved us, LORD God!”

Response: LORD God, I thank and praise you for sending Jesus to be my redeemer. Holiness is available to me personally through faith in the blood of Christ. I love you, LORD. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you received the salvation from sin that Jesus offers?

Who may stand in God’s temple?

13 Wednesday Jan 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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Who may stay in God’s temple or live on the holy mountain of the LORD? (Psalm 15:1, CEV).

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Winter Prairie Sunrise — photo by Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is holiness.

Many in the church today view holiness as a rather dated Old Testament concept. Who needs it? Who pursues it?

In God’s presence holiness has never gone out of style. It’s required.

None of us would show up for work naked. In the same way we need to be clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Holiness is not an optional accessory.

St. Peter gives us this advice: Always live as God’s holy people should, because God is the one who chose you, and he is holy. That’s why the Scriptures say, “I am the holy God, and you must be holy too” (1 Peter 1:15-16, CEV).

Response: LORD God, clothe me in the righteousness of Christ. Like the psalmist, I want to come into your presence and live on your holy mountain. In a world polluted by sin help me to live a life of practical, practiced holiness. Amen.

Your Turn: What do you do to pursue holiness?

Mercy and Holiness

11 Monday Jan 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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Because of your great mercy, I come to your house, LORD, and I am filled with wonder as I bow down to worship at your holy temple (Psalm 5:7, CEV).

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Landestreu Church, near MacNutt, SK — photo by Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is holiness.

Mercy and holiness belong together. When I think about my personal holiness, or rather the lack of it, I am reminded that I need God’s mercy. Without His mercy there is no forgiveness and no peace.

Rather than frighten us away, God’s holiness should draw us to worship Him. In His holy temple we bow down. This is where we find mercy and the strength we need day by day.

Take some time to bow before God today. Swallow your pride and open your heart to the mercy of God. Even as I write this, I know it’s what I need to do.

Response: LORD God, you are perfectly holy. I am not. I need your mercy, your love and forgiveness. Wash me clean by the blood of your son, Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn: How do mercy and holiness come together for you?