“FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART” November 20, 2018
Good morning everyone,
As we enter into the celebrations of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s there is a time of
reflection that many people entertain in moments of quietness. It is a good thing to evaluate the past year, but
it is especially beneficial for those who claim Christ as Savior and Lord over their lives. In this year there is one
thing that has struck me which God has taught me in many different ways. God’s holiness is something that
I personally have treated with contempt over the years. This may sound strange coming from a pastor, but
that does not make it any less true.
Elihu was a man who traveled with Job’s three friends who came to comfort him in his time of loss.
These three friends and Job actually did nothing but accuse one another and trade sarcastic speeches back and
forth. When Job and his three friends exhausted their arguments, Elihu spoke up. He was the only one of the
group who talked any sense about God and the situation Job was enduring. It was something Elihu was
recorded saying that sums up what I learned this year. “Surely God will never do wickedly, Nor will the
Almighty pervert justice. Who gave Him charge over the earth? Or who appointed Him over the whole world?
If He should set His heart on it, If He should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath, all flesh would
perish together, And man would return to dust” (Job 34:12-15, NKJV).
I admit to having contempt for God’s holiness because I have questioned His will, complained about
what He has allowed to take place in the world, and accused Him of doing wrong whenever the righteousness
and justice of God is questioned. God is so far above the understanding of people, yet we all try to tell Him
what He should do, how He should accomplish it, and what time frame it would be best to take place. The
proclamation Elihu makes about God, if He so chose to do it, could remove breath from all people and they
would die and God would not be guilty of any injustice.
The holiness of God is something that should cause us to tremble and proclaim our unworthiness as
Isaiah did when the Lord appeared to him (Isaiah 6:5). There should be a posture of submission and
acceptance as Jesus had in willingly laying down His life for others without complaint (Isaiah 53:7-9;
Philippians 2:5-8). Yet, what is seen in the church is contempt for God’s holiness by treating Him with far
less fear and adoration than what He deserves from those who are completely and utterly dependent upon
Him.
The mercy of God was seen in the beginning when mankind first sinned. Adam & Eve were guilty of
immediate death for their rebellion against God, yet He allowed them to continue on. God’s justice was swift at
other times as when the ten spies who brought back a negative report about the Promised Land died that night
(Numbers 14:36-37). God makes it clear He has mercy on whom He has mercy apart from the opinions
and feelings of those He created (Exodus 33:19; Romans 9:14-16). God is and never will be answerable to
anyone; He is God alone! Who are we to ask God why He has done something or allowed something to happen
that causes us discomfort and pain?
The one change that has been being initiated in my life in light of learning more about God’s holiness
and my failure to honor Him as He ought to be magnified in this life He allows me to live is, choosing to
complain less and turning to God for strength to endure. There is a long way to go, of course, but the peace
and joy that has come upon me in just recognizing more of God’s holiness is indescribable. I pray that we would
seek to learn more about God with each passing year He mercifully gives each one of us.
Praying beyond the physical:
Father, help me to ascribe to Your sovereignty and holiness which You alone have in my conduct each day.
Jesus, help me to be submissive as You were, accepting great abuse and hurt when it is God’s will for me.
Spirit, help me to endure faithfully by depending upon the Father’s wisdom and guidance You teach me.
Pastor Tom
