Monday, October 6, 2008

Holy Fear or Comforting Friend?

Hi again friends,

I have a question for you? Do you see God through the eyes of Holy fear or as a comforting Friend?

This is something I have been pondering a lot the last few weeks. It started as I was working on the Special needs Bible Study curriculum. I was trying to locate a verse, but was not at home where my computer or our mounds of reference books are located. All I had was a little pocket style Bible with a small concordance at the end. Of Course, I could not locate the verse I wanted easily so I had to thumb through the book. I knew it was in Joshua. As I skimmed through, reading a little bit of each passage, I became intrigued with one of the stories. Two words leaped off the page and attached themselves to both my brain and my spirit.

"Consecrate yourselves."

In context the children of Israel were about to cross the Jordan into the promised land. God told them to "Consecrate themselves" for He was going to do a mighty work among them.

These words so grabbed me, that I thought about them almost nonstop the whole next two days.

What did it mean to consecrate yourself?
Why did they need to consecrate themselves?
Do I need to consecrate myself?
Am I not consecrated through the blood of Jesus?

As I have meditated, prayed, searched other scriptures and listened closely to what is going on in the world today, I have come to believe that I often do not see God as Holy.
I know in my head that He is holy, but often I do not treat Him or think of Him as Holy. I think of Him as my friend, as my Daddy. Now, please don't hear I think that's wrong. Jesus told us that God was our Daddy. But I do believe that most of us have it too one sided. We see God as our cuddly daddy not the High Mighty King that He is.

He is Holy! White Hot Holy! So Holy that we can not even today look at His face. So pure and Holy that the sun looks dim compared to the whiteness of the glow that surrounds Him.
So holy that sin sizzles and can not even be looked upon by Him.

Do you or I recognize this in our daily lives? I am not talking about sitting around in sack cloths and ashes, or fasting. I'm talking about our complacency. Maybe, I sometimes think of God as too much of my buddy instead of my God.

You may not have this problem or even believe that we need to see God as Holy today. I do believe that I am made righteous before God through the blood of Jesus. It is nothing I can do on my own. However, If my body is truly the temple of God....?

Should I not examine more closely what I see? (TV, movies) What I hear? (music choices, course talk, gossip) What I do? Where I go? I mean, if I am taking God or His Spirit every where I am and making Him do everything I do....well shouldn't I be more selective?

1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." NIV

There are many times when I need to crawl up into My Father's lap and cuddle there. There are times when I need to sit beside Him and laugh together at the world. There are times when I need to run to Him and dance with Him. There are times when I need His pat on the back or a spiritual hug.

But there are also times...when I need to understand WHO HE IS and bow before Him as my God...The Holy One.

Pray for me as I learn what it means to consecrate myself.

I love you all so much!
Pamela

16 comments:

LeeBird3 said...

Hi friend,

Thanks for your comment on my blog. I know you're busy. Your Lifeway friend emailed me and asked me for more info, but I haven't heard from her since. I'm not going to worry about it, though. If the Lord is in it, it'll happen. :)

Glad your resource class is starting to grow...who knows what God has in store!

I pray that God will open up just the right doors for you and your hubby as church planters...we need more churches here in AZ...ahem! :) love, Lee

Runner Mom said...

Hey,Pamela! This is the best post! I love it! IT really has made me go back and rethink things that I do and say.

OK-as I read Lee's blog, I am seeing that things that we may need to discuss??? Hmm?? Or, maybe I need to go back and reread a previous blog!!
Love ya,
Susan

Angela said...

The Joshua 3:5 and the 1 Peter verses are two that are near and dear to me..they just jumped off the page and said "write me down and remember me!", so I think it is awesome that you are focusing in these passages. I think of God as "Daddy", too. Did you know that "Jehovah Mekaddish" means that God himself is set apart or holy, cleansed and set aside- God himself sets himself apart from sin for our sake. Great post, Pamela! Glad to hear you didn't need your shots last time!

Love, Angela

Edie said...

"Should I not examine more closely what I see? (TV, movies) What I hear? (music choices, course talk, gossip) What I do? Where I go? I mean, if I am taking God or His Spirit every where I am and making Him do everything I do....well shouldn't I be more selective?" This says it all Pamela. Understanding this is so essential to every believer.

Joyfulsister said...

Hi Pam,
Just dropped by to say hello and see how you are doing. Great post and much to ponder on. I need to come back and catch up. I have been so getting ready for our retreat and I just got home and it was awesome. hopefully will post soon as I get some rest.

Hugz Lorie

Anonymous said...

Yes, He is all these things to us, Friend, Comforter, King. He is Everything. I am often struck with the Majesty of His Holiness during corporate worship. It makes me want to fall on my face. And it makes me grieve for all those who sit and look at their watches when we are in the very presence of the King of Kings. Reverence. That is His Due.

Sharon said...

Excellent Post!!
I do call him dad and father, but he is the Holy one, He is the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords.
And Yes I know I have changed so much, I don't listen to certain things anymore on the radio, I am careful of what I watch on TV. What a great reminder to us all!!
Blessings,
Sharon

Kay Martin said...

You have hit an important point for modern saints. I can't recall the scriptures but I found years ago on a similar search that the progression to intimacy with Father God flows first from awe/fear of God and then when that is in order and gives Him the honor He is due, we can move into Friendship with God.

I remember one writing assignment in the nineties where God was pouring out a mighty life changing revival I returned with one hope:
"God show me where You are moving. I want to be sure I am not in Your way or a hindrance to Your work. When that is sure; is there any where I may join You in Your work that is edifying?"

That prayer came by seeing what happened to people with haughty attitudes that tried to stop this great move of God. God is all powerful and the Bible shows us that clearly. Reverent loving fear and awe is appropriate to our Holy God.

I am so thankful that He is Love and He is merciful.

Regina said...

Pamela, I love this post. Yes, God is my Father, and my friend. He is closer than a brother.

But . . .

He is Holy! And I should be too.

Thanks I need to spend way more time thinking on this today and forever.

Elizabethd said...

Thank you Pamela, that was so readable, and gave me plenty to poneder over.

Anonymous said...

Wow!

I think I most easily see God's holiness reflected in the moments where I realize that only He could have orchestrated the situation. Those are the times that I fall flat on my face and praise Him for who He truly is.

Thanks for helping me remember that my daddy is also a Mighty King!

Sharon Sloan said...

Hi, Pamela! I think of you every time I wear fancy shoes! :)

I feel like God takes us through seasons and journeys of deepening our knowledge of various aspects of who He is. I have been studying Exodus and now 1 Samuel with Precepts Ministry (inductive Bible study) and I am so aware of his holiness. He is holy! I have such reverence for Him. How majestic He is!

The great thing about Him and His Word are that they are alive! We are always being renewed and learning new things! Really amazing!

Thanks for this post!

Sharon

Sonya Lee Thompson said...

I believe that the blood of Jesus does consecrate us, but we need to do our part. Romans Ch. 12 says it all. The more we devote to being in the Word of God, the more our minds become transformed into the Holy beings God wants us to be.

God bless as He is transforming you daily (you do know that it is a constant thing!)

Love,
Sonya

Beverly said...

Preach it my sister. Thanks for giving me thoughts that I need to continue to have in the forefront daily.

Love ya,
Beverly

Kimberly said...

White hot holy. I love that. :)

I was talking to a friend about this just last week. How easy it is to slip into treating Him just like a friend, which He is, but forgetting exactly Who He is!

I love your heart for Him! It encourages and challenges us all!

Jules from "The Roost" said...

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY...Lord God Almighty! That is ringing through my head now:)