In two of the smaller rooms in our home, we have heat/light bulbs that prove beneficial at colder parts of the day. On one occasion, a visitor was using the facilities and, because he was tall, soon became aware of the heat on his head! We would not have known of this if he had not returned to our lounge, rubbing his head and laughing as he told his story.
Recalling that incident a few years later made me consider what would be the impact if we became aware of our nearness to the holiness of God. Exodus chapter 19 records an amazing conversation between God and Moses. Part of that conversation includes verses 10 and 11 when the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Make them wash their clothes and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, “Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death.
Hebrews 12 verse 18 speaks of that occasion and the following verses (please read) present a much happier experience for Christians today. Speaking with a Christian friend recently he told me “We are in danger of ignoring the holiness of God” and I felt challenged. We know, don’t we, that God’s character does not change, though his dealings with mankind have, as demonstrated in the Bible. There are many incidents recorded in the Old and New Testaments that show how God has, on occasion, reacted to disobedience.
The heat from that lamp not only reminded me of the holiness of God but also made me question if I am reluctant to get closer to God because of the effect it will have upon my life.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we pray that your holiness will attract us to become more like you, and not drive us away because we are not prepared to accept the consequences. AMEN