August 27, 2008

• Holiness

  “The house, while it was being built, was built of stone prepared at the quarry, and there was neither hammer nor axe nor any iron tool heard in the house while it was being built.” - 1 Kings 6:7 NASB

  God is holy, perfectly pure. The Bible describes Him as “a consuming fire” (Deuteronomy 4:24). We are to come before Him with clean hands and a pure heart (Psalm 24:4). Israel itself was to be a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6), reflecting the holiness of its God.

  This spirit of holiness and reverence was to pervade their attitude toward God and the things of God, including the temple. The prophet Habakkuk proclaimed, “The LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him” (Habakkuk 2:20).

  We see this attitude among the men who built the temple. They wouldn’t even allow the normal noise and clutter associated with construction. With a spirit of reverence, they took time to prepare the stones “at the quarry.” This meant that when the temple was being built, there were no sounds of hammers or axes.

  Today, many people have a casual attitude toward God. They’re quick to take His name in vain, curse Him, or defy His laws. Even some Christians don’t treat God with reverence for His holiness. But Paul would ask us to remember, “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” If we’re conscious of God’s Presence in our lives, our entire attitude changes. We will “cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1).

  Today, humble yourself before Almighty God. Seek to be more sensitive to His holiness, every minute of the day. Worship Him. In everything you do and every word you say, remember that He is holy.

  • 7:51 am
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