Singing the joy of God’s holiness

Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the Lord. Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout. Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.” After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!” 2 Chronicles 20:18-21

God’s attribute of holiness should be described as His gloriously and overwhelmingly beautiful characteristic. This is how the Scripture described Him. “Who is like you among the gods, O Lord—glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders? You raised your right hand, and the earth swallowed our enemies. With your unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed. In your might, you guide them to your sacred home” (Exodus 15:11-13). He is identified as supremely holy. “But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy” (1 Peter 1:16). For the Israelites, God’s expression of His holiness is seen through His expression of “faithful love that endures forever.” Since His holiness is set apart among others, all expressions of His attributes extend to every aspect of His being. People who trust God realize that they can count on His faithfulness. In His holiness, you know that you can trust Him and can count on Him. Yet, His holiness also magnifies man’s sinfulness. Man’s shortcoming is seen first and foremost in their consistent disobedience to the greatest commandment in the Scripture. “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37). This attitude in neglect of loving God is constantly manifested in your lack of thought of making Him supreme in your life. This is also seen in your refusal to regularly be under His leading. God’s holiness should compel you to worship Him and to be found that your delight is in Him. It is a constant realization that your source of joy is found in His presence. “The one thing I ask of the Lord—the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple” (Psalm 37:4).