Each of the four living creatures had six wings, and the wings were full of eyes, all around and even underneath. And they have no rest day or night, saying, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come." Rev. 4:8.
The threefold phrase "holy, holy, holy" echoes the sixth chapter of Isaiah. In Isaiah's day Judah faced a serious crisis. King Uzziah had just died. To appreciate the significance of that event, it helps to know that he had reigned over Judah for 52 years. The vast majority of the people in Judah had never known any other sovereign. To make matters worse, Uzziah had been one of the most successful kings that had ever governed the people of God. So for the people, there seemed nowhere to go but down! With fear they faced and uncertain future.
At this time of crisis Isaiah has a vision of God's throne. He sees angelic creatures around the throne singing, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty" (Isa. 6:3, NIV). Isaiah was a priest, a relatively holy man, in the holiest place (the Temple) among the holiest people on earth during one of the most faithful periods of their history. Nevertheless, recoiling at the vision of the purity of God, he cries out, "Woe to me!...I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty" )verse 5, NIV).
In the presence of God any sense of his own accomplishments or personal glory pales as he beholds absolute competence and total purity. Isaiah recognizes his own uncleanness, not because he has compared himself with anyone else, but because he has come face to face with God!
Here is a powerful spiritual principle. It is easy to be proud of one's spiritual growth and achievements when one compares them with the real and perceived foibles of others. The more you can put down what others do, the higher you can stand in your own observation. But this means that your eyes are no longer on God. You have built yourself up at the expense of a genuine relationship with Him!
One of the clearest signs that a person has lost touch with God, therefore, is a critical and faultfinding spirit. By way of contrast, the strongest indication that anyone has a living relationship with God is that he or she has a clear sense of personal depravity. Those who have looked in the face of God are painfully aware of their weaknesses, sins, and shortcomings. An authentic awareness of sin and guilt is the prerequisite for acceptance with God. When we have truly hit bottom, we have nowhere to go but up!
Lord, I must have a glimpse of Your face today. I need to remember that achievement is not the path to acceptance with You--instead that path is a humble and a contrite heart.
The threefold phrase "holy, holy, holy" echoes the sixth chapter of Isaiah. In Isaiah's day Judah faced a serious crisis. King Uzziah had just died. To appreciate the significance of that event, it helps to know that he had reigned over Judah for 52 years. The vast majority of the people in Judah had never known any other sovereign. To make matters worse, Uzziah had been one of the most successful kings that had ever governed the people of God. So for the people, there seemed nowhere to go but down! With fear they faced and uncertain future.
At this time of crisis Isaiah has a vision of God's throne. He sees angelic creatures around the throne singing, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty" (Isa. 6:3, NIV). Isaiah was a priest, a relatively holy man, in the holiest place (the Temple) among the holiest people on earth during one of the most faithful periods of their history. Nevertheless, recoiling at the vision of the purity of God, he cries out, "Woe to me!...I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty" )verse 5, NIV).
In the presence of God any sense of his own accomplishments or personal glory pales as he beholds absolute competence and total purity. Isaiah recognizes his own uncleanness, not because he has compared himself with anyone else, but because he has come face to face with God!
Here is a powerful spiritual principle. It is easy to be proud of one's spiritual growth and achievements when one compares them with the real and perceived foibles of others. The more you can put down what others do, the higher you can stand in your own observation. But this means that your eyes are no longer on God. You have built yourself up at the expense of a genuine relationship with Him!
One of the clearest signs that a person has lost touch with God, therefore, is a critical and faultfinding spirit. By way of contrast, the strongest indication that anyone has a living relationship with God is that he or she has a clear sense of personal depravity. Those who have looked in the face of God are painfully aware of their weaknesses, sins, and shortcomings. An authentic awareness of sin and guilt is the prerequisite for acceptance with God. When we have truly hit bottom, we have nowhere to go but up!
Lord, I must have a glimpse of Your face today. I need to remember that achievement is not the path to acceptance with You--instead that path is a humble and a contrite heart.
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