Honoring Him as Holy This Week
In my Bible reading plan for this year, I’ve been moving through the first five books. I’m now in Numbers. What has struck me is how often the Israelites forget that God is holy. It’s easy to shake our heads and point fingers—until we are gripped with the reality that this is the story of us!
Our propensity to murmur, complain, and grumble is huge.
This past week, in Numbers 20, I read the story where the people once again grumble and complain to Moses. Their complaint? They were thirsty. So God told Moses to take his staff and speak to the rock. He promised that as Moses spoke to the rock, water would gush out. Moses felt frustrated with the people. He was sick and tired of their grumbling, so instead of speaking to the rock, he hit the rock.
God spoke to Moses with these profound words: “Because you did not trust me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I gave them” (Numbers 20:12).
Often, I’ve reflected back on this story and thought to myself that this seemed a little harsh of God. I mean, I’m shocked Moses didn’t strike the people with his staff! Aren’t you? What a motley crew to try to lead. But God’s holiness is not to be trifled with! God gave specific instructions that Moses did not follow.
As I’ve been reflecting on this story all week, I realize that at times I’ve become so comfortable hearing that God is holy that it hasn’t really gone to the depth of my soul. Maybe that’s true for you, too?
We need to renew our appreciation and awe for God’s holiness.
How do we do that?
It’s not going to be easy, but here are a few suggestions that have helped me this past week.
Bow. This week, get on your knees if you are able. A friend and I got on our knees a few days ago and listened to the old hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy” before we began praying together. It was such a beautiful reset. All of our culture pulls us away from God’s holiness, yet God continually invites us back to bask in His presence. There, before Him, our hearts are once again brought into alignment with His.
Meditate on Isaiah 6:1–9. Read it through slowly several times. Put yourself in Isaiah’s shoes. What did it feel like for him? Then pause and ask God to rekindle in you a longing for His holiness.
Slow down. Most of the time, when we complain or grumble, it’s driven by our impatience. We want what we want, and we want it now! This week, slow down. Don’t rush past His holiness. Instead, live moment by moment with an awareness that the Holy One is right with you. Stay attuned to His holiness and let it shape your life.
Friend, our culture is hurried and distracted. God longs for us to live present to Him, and that starts with living in awe of His holiness. Make it your goal this week to stay tuned in to His presence and allow His holiness to reshape your thinking.
This week on the Connected Mom Podcast we’re talking with Mandy Horne about how to show up in different seasons.
Don’t forget to grab Mandy’s FREE guide to step into your next season with confidence and clarity. Get her 3-Step guide to Confidently Step Into Your Next Season when the only question left is, “What now…God?”
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