Bible Studies for Life: March 1

God is Holy • Psalm 99:1-9

By Bobby McKay

Tucked away in your memories, you may recall a television game show called Password. The premise was to give one-word clues and have the other contestant guess the answer. If you were challenged to provide one word to describe God, what would it be? You have many words you could choose: loving, kind, gracious, and merciful are all appropriate. The incredible thing about the attributes of God is that all are equal in their presence. While you may see one attribute in some biblical accounts more than others, it does not mean His other characteristics are lacking. 

Beginning with this week’s lesson, we will spend some time exploring the character of God in more detail. There is no better way to begin than with His holiness. From His holiness, we can see His expectations, standards, justice, and His love for us. We live in a culture that wrongfully worships and idolizes everything but God. What a person chooses to worship is the same thing he or she designates as holy or set apart. As believers, the only subject of our worship should be God. 

God is set apart in His greatness. (1-3)

Did you know that God will not settle for being a roommate in your life? So many people wish to keep their pet sins or desires in a place in their lives where they share space with a holy God. He will not allow it. He cannot compromise who He is or His holiness to be a secondary option in your life. None of us can fully grasp how great God is, but we can still praise Him. The enemy wants us to pursue our desires and seek our own interests. By doing so, we neglect God’s greatness and fail to appreciate His holiness. In the book of 1 Samuel, Hannah declared, “There is none besides you.” Can we make the same declaration?

God is set apart in His justice. (4-5)

Our great God is also just. The justice of God is both an example and an extension of His holiness. Sin must be dealt with, and our Heavenly Father is the only One who can judge perfectly and completely. For some, the word justice may be frightening. For justice to be exercised, a person’s shortcomings or mistakes must be shared with others. This is one of the reasons we can have confidence in the finished work of Christ. While we are sinners, Christ has borne the punishment and shame of our sins. We stand before God forgiven and the recipients of an eternal pardon. 

God is set apart in His actions towards us. (6-9)

God is mighty to save, just, and all-powerful. He is also personal and intimate, and He knows our names. His holiness is displayed in His love, given to us as a gift with no strings attached. Nothing this world can provide can satisfy as much or more than God. His actions toward us are of eternal value and saving benefit. Consider your testimony. The story of your salvation, forgiveness, and future all point to the goodness of God. All His benefits stem from His holiness. The scripture tells us to be holy. That means being pure and set apart in our actions, attitudes, and behavior. This is possible because of Christ in us. What is missing in your life? Consider the possibility that it could be holiness. Our God is holy, and we are saved because of His commitment to deal with our sins. Holy, holy, holy! God is holy.

McKay is pastor of New Liberty Baptist Church, Morton.