When Holiness Leaves You Speechless

Isaiah 6:1–3

1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above Him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Devotional Reflection

The angels call to one another that God is holy.

God is not in need of our adoration, but we need to remind one another who He is. The angels, much more than us, see the wisdom, power, perfection, and holiness of God. They see how He is degraded, insulted, and contemptuously treated by people all over the world. They see how He is dishonored and ignored, even by those of us who claim Him as Lord. And they see His response.

He never moves outside of love. He is slow to anger and abounding in love in a way that we cannot comprehend because we don’t know what the angels do.

The angels had a choice at one time to follow God or rebel against Him. Lucifer, a chief angel**,** chose to rebel along with one-third of all the angels. These are the demons we face daily now. But since then, their destiny is sealed. Demons are unable to be sorrowful, much less repent, and angels are now unable to fall. The angels that Isaiah saw did not need to remind one another of God’s glory in the same way that we do.

We need to be reminded because our sinful nature is a force born into us that continually opposes God. Also, we are unable to physically see or audibly hear God or the angels. The difficulty of living in our sinful state, far from Heaven, makes it easy to lose sight of God, to let fear set in, and to be overwhelmed with frustration when we don’t understand God’s ways. We need daily bread to keep our minds on Him. We need a weekly gathering with other believers on the Sabbath to remind ourselves of His glory. But this is not why the angels do this.

The angels are not in danger of falling away or being distracted from the Lord. They are simply in awe of and overwhelmed by His glory. We simply cannot comprehend the wonder that will strike us when we see God as the angels do. Even in Heaven, when our ability to fall away is gone, we will be continually astonished at just how marvelous He is. And even then, not because of our need, but out of amazement, all we will be able to do is sing His praises forever and ever.

Self-Reflection

• How often do I intentionally remind myself of God's holiness throughout the day?

• Have I allowed the distractions and frustrations of life to diminish my awe of God?

• Do I worship God merely because I need Him, or because He is worthy of endless praise?

Lectio Divina

Read Isaiah 6:1–3 slowly several times.

As you picture the throne room of God, listen to the unending declaration of the seraphim: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty." Allow that vision to lift your eyes above the distractions of earth and restore your awe of the One who reigns forever.

Prayer Prompt

Holy Father, forgive me for the times I have lost sight of Your greatness. Restore my wonder at who You are. Help me to remember Your holiness each day, not merely because I need You, but because You alone are worthy of endless worship. Fill my heart with the same awe that fills Heaven, and let my life become a continual song of praise to You. Amen.