Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson
September 10
Holy Love
Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 103:1-5 | Isaiah 6:1-7:25 | 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 | Proverbs 23:1-3
Today’s Scripture Focus: Isaiah 6 & Psalm 103
Understanding both God’s holiness and his loving goodness brings a balanced focus to our lives. Like Isaiah, we need a vision of the holiness of God. Like the psalmist, we also need to understand God’s heart of love towards his people. While they seem to be in stark contrast, they come together in a unity that brings balance to both.
In Isaiah’s vision, angels are awestruck by the holiness of God and continually cry out, “holy, holy, holy.” Isaiah too, is struck by the holiness of God. To get a true vision of God is to see Him in holiness—to be awestruck by the beauty of his holiness.
To see and worship God in holiness brings to light our true condition. We become painfully aware of our weakness and sin. It leads us to confession and repentance that brings us to the joy of forgiveness and cleansing.
Just like Isaiah, when we see and worship God in his holiness our whole life orientation and purpose changes. We are no longer living for ourselves, but for Him. We must give ourselves to him and to his call on our lives. We cry out with Isaiah, “Here am I, send me”.
To see and worship God in his holiness puts us in the place to really hear and communicate with God. It opens our blinded eyes and hearts to truth (9-10).
The Psalmist reminds us in Psalm 103:1-5 of the benefits of loving and serving God. While he is transcendently holy, he is also loving, gracious and benevolent. He desires to reach out to us in our need. He is gracious and compassionate and brings forgiveness and healing to his children. He redeems us from the pit and crowns us with love and compassion. He even satisfies our desires for good things so that our youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
God is holy, perfectly holy. God is love, unfailing steadfast love. Understanding the first truth (his holiness) makes the second truth (his love) even more amazing.
pastor jeff's neighborhood 
Reblogged this on COURAGE TIMES THREE and commented:
God’s love and instructions on living our lives to serve Him reflect a loving and giving Father who only desires to make our lives here on Earth, easier to sustain in the pain and muck of life sometimes. Don’t get stuck in the muck, but like Pastor Jeff expresses in his explanation of God’s word, allow Him to love, understand and redeem us from our daily misgivings. Praise be to God our Father.
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