It is not eloquent but written by one who recognized the sovereignty of God and HIS holiness.
Vs. 3, HE is holy.
Vs. 5, HE is holy.
Vs. 9, the LORD our GOD is holy.
Briefly and succinctly, the psalmist points to GOD's presence with HIS people no matter what. They did not go undisciplined for their foolishness and blatant sinfulness. But HE is GOD-WHO-FORGIVES.
My notes are always related to my own life because I can't speak for anyone else. You will apply GOD's word to your life as HE speaks to you. Please bear with me as I share my heart in order that GOD be glorified by my testimony.
I was unholy. Raised in a very dysfunctional family ruled by an abusive tyrannical father, without any sort of religion. After my parents divorce, I did pretty much as I pleased because my mother worked full-time and I was a "latch-key kid" coming home to an empty house. I left home at the age of fifteen and traveled. In my early adult life and into my thirties, I used to think how lucky I was that I hadn't died. I was raped twice, beaten near death by a drug-addict boyfriend, hitch-hiked across country, and generally lived compulsively and dangerously.
But along that path of utter and literal ungodliness, I encountered Jesus a few times.
At age six while my parents were going through an ugly divorce when I stayed with my paternal grandmother for a time, Jesus touched me through a stained glass window at her Baptist church; children working string and gravel art; the song "Jesus Loves Me." I longed for HIS love and security though I did not understand.
At age seven an elderly lady down the street invited my sister and I to go to the Methodist church with her.
At age ten I often attended church with my best friend's family and ultimately was baptized in the Episcopalian church (without any understanding of what it meant - I just wanted what her family had.)
Many times in my youth while watching movies about priests, nuns, and monks I was desperate for the kind of peace and holiness the characters portrayed.
At age nineteen I became engaged to and married a Catholic boy and was baptized and confirmed Roman Catholic. In ten years of attending the Catholic Church, I did not have a relationship with Jesus but desperately wanted to.
After my divorce and having been ex-communicated, I wandered without faith and filled with bitterness and pride. In my mid thirties, a coworker witnessed the gospel to me and I shrugged it off, "that's fine for you but not for me."
At age thirty-nine I encountered Jesus in a very real way in my soul. I had finally let down my guard and heard HIS call. In November of 1994 I heeded that call and committed my life to follow HIM during worship in a Baptist church.
Today I know, luck had nothing to do with me surviving so many near-death encounters. GOD's purposes for my life, from the moment I was born, gave me the resilience to survive and thrive.
What I desired with all my heart for all those years was HIS holiness because HIS hand was upon me. I want to be like HIM because I was created by HIM, for HIM, in HIM for HIS purposes.
But I am not like HIM. I am a sinner, struggling to stay afloat in this world of terrorists, religious indifference, apathy, perversion and hopelessness. How often do I ask the LORD, how long? Why? What's the point? HE even suffers my questions. I imagine HIM at the right of GOD the FATHER smiling at my weakness, saying, "you will know. Be patient. Just obey; go."
I now worship in an Evangelical Presbyterian church. Just for the record, I hate the word denomination. It implies division, exactly what the enemy wants for GOD's people. Nor do I agree with any of them fully. GOD's word admonishes us to have fellowship with one another, not force our theories and interpretations on one another. I stand on the WORD of GOD alone. I will say to you it does not matter where or how you worship GOD. What matters is that you have a relationship with our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS, and that you follow HIM according to HIS word. My faith is in JESUS, not a church. I merely fellowship with a body of believers who are all sinners just like you and me.
HE is holy. HE is holy. The LORD our GOD is holy.
And HE is GOD-WHO-FORGIVES.
Each day, in my study of HIS word, in my meditation, in my prayers, I draw closer. HIS holy blood cloaks my sin. HIS holiness envelopes my soul and heals my wounds. HIS holiness gives me the strength to carry on one more day. HIS holiness gives me the kind and nurturing words to say to my hurting foster children who so desperately need HIS love. HIS holiness binds my husband and me and seals our marriage with promise. HIS holiness inspires me to give HIS love to mankind. HIS holiness guarantees my entrance to HIS kingdom for all eternity. HE is our holiness.
Let's praise GOD together, for HE is holy.
Holy, Holy, Holy GOD,
All creation bows before YOU.
We worship YOU, we adore YOU.
Holy are YOU GOD.
There is none like YOU.
YOU alone are worthy of all praise, honor and glory.
Holy are YOUR names.
By YOUR love, by YOUR blood, by YOUR holy promise,
We are YOURS.
Blessed is HE who comes in the name of the LORD;
Hosanna in the highest.
