Taking Liberties
The more years I spend in the ministry, the more I notice the liberties we as Christians take with our God. It seems we’re always looking for something new that will really attract us to Him.
I’m not suggesting we even do this deliberately or intentionally. We’re just so used to creating what we want, even God. We’ll even change the Word of God if necessarily.
But if we really had ears to hear and minds that perceived, we would begin to see how we regulate God down to our level. We create Him in the image we desire. Yes, yes, yes… He’s God, but He’s our friend, our buddy, our pal, the big Guy in the sky. We design Him in a fashion that suits us and one that we best can understand and like. We’re pretty bold in stating “I think God is like…” You finish the sentence!
But if you read Psalm 99, you get a much different picture of God – I believe a more realistic picture of God. God honored His chosen people by taking up residence among them, making His presence known by sitting on His throne in the tabernacle. “You rule from Your throne above the winged creatures…” (99:1) signifying His presence at the Ark of the Covenant, now brought to the City of David.
Even though He may take up residence among His people, we must never forget that He is GOD ALMIGHTY!
The psalm writer tell us, we are to exalt Him… we are to hold Him in high esteem… we are to recognize that He is greater than all. We are to worship Him… to kneel at His feet… to bow at His throne… to fall on our faces when we come into His presence.
Why? BECAUSE HE ALONE IS HOLY.
He is set apart from all others, because He is the One True God. I know in our world today that is considered a bold statement considering that we’re challenged to be accepting of all religions. But there is only one true God.
Yes, now that we are baptized into Christ Jesus, we too are made holy, like He is. But it’s His holiness imparted to us, not anything of our own making.
Here’s my word of encouragement for you today:
Spend some time today contemplating the holiness of God. In a notebook or journal, write out ways in which the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is uniquely different and set apart from any other being in the universe. Then thank Him for imparting His holiness to you and stop molding Him in an image you like.
Father,
We acknowledge that You are God and God alone. There has never been any like You and never will be. Only You are God. Help us to know You, see You and understand You as You’ve revealed Yourself to us, not as we have designed You to be. In Jesus name we ask this, Amen.
Rev. Dr. MM Marxhausen
Mark was Spiritual Director for VdC from 2016 to 2019. He's written many of the devotions, especially the Devote and Affirm series, found on this website.
