Focus: Behold Your God! (Pt.2)

Text: Isa.40:9

"Say to the cities of Judah, Behold your God!"

It is in beholding God that we become like Him. Paul says, "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2Cor.3:18). Beholding God involves taking a long look at God, meditating on Him, considering His nature or essence, His words, His works, and His ways, and it is tasting that the Lord is good. Isaiah says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee" (Isa.26:3). It involves fixing your mind constantly on God, studying Him from different standpoints, contemplating His perfections and wonders, and enjoying all that you find of Him. How we view God determines how we value Him.

*First point to note about God is that He is.

The writer of Hebrews says, "For he that cometh to God must believe that HE IS, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Heb.11:6). It is sheer waste of time to argue or debate the existence of God. It doesn't make sense to denying the fact of God's existence. In all facets of human existence we are confronted with the fact of God's existence. Atheism is untenable and unprovable. The truth is: God exists. The psalmist declares, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God" (Ps.14:1). Not believing in God is tantamount to being stupid, vile, wicked, and unreasonably irreligious. James says, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble" (Jam.2:19). Even demons believe in God. Can you see that the devil who is making people not to believe in God is himself a believer in God? 

The case James is making is that, beyond the fact that God exists, is the fact that He exists alone. He has no rival or competition. There is no other God anywhere that is worthy of the title and status of deity. He has no match.

*The next point is that God is true.

The Scripture says concerning Israel, "Now for a long season Israel hath been without the TRUE God…" (2Chron.15:3). A member of the Herodians said to Jesus Christ, "Master, we know that thou art TRUE, and teachest the way of God in TRUTH…" (Mt.22:16). John writes, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee THE ONLY TRUE GOD, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (Jh.17:3). He continues in his epistle: "That we may know him that is TRUE, and we are in him that is TRUE, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is THE TRUE GOD, and eternal life" (1Jh.5:20). Paul, in describing the conversion of certain believers, says, "How ye turned to God from idols to serve THE LIVING AND TRUE GOD" (1Thes.1:9).

John writes, "These things saith he that is HOLY, he that is TRUE" (Rev.3:7). God is true. He is real. He is genuine. He is authentic. He is original. No falsehood in God. No lies or deceit. No dishonesty. He is who He says He is. He is neither a caricature of a God nor a counterfeit one. He is never dubious, never given to changes, mutations, variations, or character defects or disorder. We are in His hands, and safe with Him. His words are true. The psalmist says, "Thy word is TRUE from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever" (Ps.119:160). 

He makes true claims. His words are weighty and mighty. He is the God of truth.

Moses says, "He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he" (Dt.32:4). In Isaiah 65:16, the Lord is twice described as the God of truth.

*Another point is that God is holy.

Holiness is God's essential nature. Using a Latin phrase, God can be described as 'totaliter aliter,' that is, God who is wholly other or totally different from all others. His holiness makes Him unique or incomparable. He stands out. Habakkuk says, "Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity…" (Hab.1:13). From the pen of Isaiah, we read, "Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory" (Isa.6:3). This is the Holy Trinity. God is utter holiness. None is as holy as God. No iota of imperfection in Him. His beauty lies in His holiness. You can't trace sin to Him. His character is flawless. It takes purity of heart to see Him. Peter says, "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy" (1Pet.1:15,16). 

God demands that we be holy because He is Himself holy. As we relate with Him and practice His presence, His holiness rubs off on us. His holiness is a communicable attribute.

I pray that you keep beholding your God and enjoying His glories. Ensure that as you behold, you hold on to what you behold.

We'll continue tomorrow.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter