The ‘otherness’ of God

Many (most?) of my posts in the last period of time have been posts to encourage us to rely on God when life is tough.

I think this is driven by a growing understanding of the struggle of so many friends.

Thus, I’ve been thinking that it is important to understand why we can rely on God.

As I rode the M’Cheyenne train Friday, I was excited to turn to Isaiah 6. It is, for me one of the great chapters of the entire Bible.

Holy.

Holy.

Holy.

I’ve long thought of God’s holiness as the foundation, or, if you will, the core of His attributes (of which there are many like omnipotent (all powerful) and omnipresent (everywhere).

Holiness is a word that describes His ‘otherness.’

God is other.

He is neither caught up in my (or your) sin, nor is He surprised.

He is steadfast, I suggest, because he is Holy.

He is unshaken because He is holy!

This, it seems safe to conclude, is why the angels surrounding His throne sing:

Holy, Holy, Holy! (Cf. Revelations) The only attribute of God repeated 3x in angelic praise.

For me to understand His holiness a little better helps me rest in Him. Thanks be to God!

Glory to God in the highest!

I can rest, because He is holy, holy, holy.