A God Worth Knowing

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." Isaiah 6:1, 3 (NIV)

I have made up a few resumes in my life and I always struggle with them. I am supposed to think of my best attributes, things I have done that are spectacular, why I would be perfect for this job. My thought processes go something like this: "Well, I am good at organization-no wait, my closet is a disaster-cancel that one. I am good at typing, if you do not count my 'need for speed' and all the mistakes I make as a result. I am good at." I go on and on, trying to find something that I can really shine at. And I honestly am good at some things, but there is always a catch. That catch is because I am a sinful creature. I am not perfect and have no chance at being perfect this side of heaven. Even if I can write a really good resume, in real life I flunk Perfection 101.

God, on the other hand, could write an awesome resume. His qualities are all top-rate and He never has trouble shining at anything He does. He has so many fantastic qualities I do not really even know where to start but one of His qualities that I absolutely love is His goodness. Goodness is often looked down upon in our world. Phrases like "goody-two-shoes" or "you think you are too good for me" or "brown-noser" come to mind. Of course, our attempt at goodness always has some aspect of sin thrown in, but God's never does. I think of all the movies or TV shows I have watched over the years; it is always a good ending when the good guys win. Our culture may not openly admit it, but goodness is the best way to go. It is the most fun to watch. It gives you a feeling of peace. When I think about God, it amazes me sometimes how blessed we are to have a good God. God's goodness makes Him approachable, it makes Him safe.

Another quality I find fascinating is God's holiness. I think I find that quality so intriguing because nothing on this earth comes close to it. I was trying to think of an analogy for His holiness and could not come up with a thing. The verse above describes the throne room of heaven and in it, the holiness of God is likened to the train of His robe and how it is a physical thing. It actually fills the entire temple. God cannot be separated from His holiness. It is Him. He even has His own song about it. Angels are proclaiming His holiness by singing and repeating "holy" three times. No where else in all of Scripture does the Bible repeat an attribute of God three times in a row. This is the real thing. This is who God is. He is holy.

God's incredible qualities go on and on-merciful, loving, faithful, jealous, forgiving, perfect, slow to anger, all-knowing, powerful, constant, orderly, patient-there are so many, this devotional could get really long. But the bottom line is: He is a God worth knowing. He alone is worthy of our love and devotion.

Precious Father, thank You for being who You are. Thank You for the opportunity I have to know You. Please help me to be like You.

Janine Miller