Scripture Challenge {Week 25}

Week 25 Challenge Word: Holy

I thought we should look at our Holy God this week! What is holiness? What do we think of and how do we approach our Holy God? Max Lucado states “The word hallowed comes from the word ‘holy,’ and the word ‘holy’ means ‘to separate.’ The ancestry of the term can be traced back to an ancient word which means ‘to cut.’ To be holy, then, is to be a cut above the norm, superior, extraordinary. . . The Holy One dwells on a different level from the rest of us. What frightens us does not frighten Him. What troubles us does not trouble Him. When you set your eyes on our God, you focus on one ‘a cut above’ any storm life may bring.”

Wow, Mr. Lucado said it absolutely perfectly! See why I just need to quote people sometimes. What is your response to His holiness?

The book of Isaiah speaks a lot about God’s holiness. In Isaiah 6:3 and Revelation 4:8, we see the word holy repeated three times. The Hebrews repeat words to emphasize something. So, as we read these verses, we understand that the Lord has the ultimate holiness. Those verses also make me think of one of my favorite hymns "Holy, Holy, Holy" written by Reginald Heber (1783-1826). Look at the lyrics in this amazing hymn:

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Look at the lyrics I have highlighted in blue. So powerful and so true. I really could have highlighted the whole hymn. Ha! I just love old hymns and how they truly show who God is.

Also in the book of Isaiah, the term Holy One is used 25 times. Some other fun facts are that:
Holy Father is only used once in the entire Bible (NIV).
Holy One is used 56 times; 25 of those being in the book of Isaiah.
Holy Scriptures is used twice.

For my card this week, I used some fun Cherry Arte paper scraps that I had on hand. I thought they went perfectly. I also used a great stamp that my dear friend Chelsea mailed to me. Thank you girl! The scriptures I chose were:

Leviticus 19:2 “. . . be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.”
Revelation 4:8 “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty who was, and is, and is to come.”
I pray you enjoy looking at our Holy God this week and praising Him for who He is! Please join us here for discussions and links to your cards and pages! Blessings for a joyous week,