Trustworthy Holiness

A deep seeded desire within each of us is to know that we have someone to trust and depend on for the ups and downs of life.

Song writer, Randy Newman expresses this need in the classic theme song made popular by Toy Story:

You've got a friend in me You've got a friend in me When the road looks rough ahead And you're miles and miles From your nice warm bed You just remember what your old pal said Boy, you've got a friend in me Yeah, you've got a friend in me

The constancy of our hope and trust is only as strong as the source is steadfast and lasting.

The question we must answer daily is, "In whom or on what am I placing my trust as a child of God?"

How you and I answer that question will impact how we live as individuals, families, communities, and as a church.

God can be trusted because He is King.

God being the creator of the universe and the one who reigns over all creation, gives us a sense of deep comfort and assurance for life.

The majesty of God is the display of His power in and through all things in the created universe.

In God's reign, we see the beauty of who he is, what he has done, and what he will do to bring honor and glory to his name.

What more tells of God's strength than the incarnation? What tells more of God's majesty than the crucifixion and resurrection? God's full glory is in the person of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, making a relationship with God possible. In this personal relationship, we see the beauty of his glory.

Where are you placing your trust for a holy life?

God’s authority is timeless because He is eternal.

In our modern world, we are given to think that each among us is the final authority for everyday life. The writer of the Psalm acknowledges that there is only one authority under and above heaven.

The world around us will have us focus on the would-be kings and rulers of our lives. Think about it. Social media, unhealthy relationships, keeping up appearances, desire for wealth, and selfish endeavors, to name a few, will render us hostage and kept away from our King.

The psalmist makes it clear:

1. God rules without exception. He is King in his own right and for his own constituency. That means that you and I are subjects to a king that rules with supreme power.

2. The nature of his reign cannot and will not change. We often use language that gives us some upper hand over God, as though our choices might activate his hand over us, our situations, circumstances, and even our lives. Truth is that because He is king we have freedom to choose.

It is a fantastic comfort that we have a God who desires to be known personally by each of us and who is not like a modern-day president, who is changed every four, five, or six years to fit our fancies. Even more so, we have a God who is the purest Love and no despot toward us, His subjects.

God is unmoved by His enemies.

While God is touched by the obedience and devotion of His children, he is immovable in the face of his enemies. That is what we confess when we say that God is holy; he does not age, change, or express error in His ways. Remember, the would be kings over God.

1. Satan, who pretended to know best and be worthy to receive praise over God.

2. Adam and Eve, who were confused to know better by Satan's confusion.

3. Pharaoh, who in his audacity, decided to hold God's people hostage after hearing from God.

4. Our flesh that daily attempts to keep us from walking in holiness and righteousness.

5. The world that instant by instant fights to keep our eyes off Jesus and tempts us to be short-term people and not eternally-focused disciples.

But God is the unmoved mover; He is one who rules without question and is constant regardless of those who oppose him. The nations rage, the peoples assemble to war against him, and God remains seated on his throne.

If God never changes, never lets go, and constantly holds on to his creation, then the question begs to be answered:

Who gives you a sense of trust and holiness that can endure forever? Can anyone else give you that security and constancy?

God is trustworthy because He is holy and has created all things.

Have you ever wondered why it is that we worship YHWH? Why is it that in Jesus Christ, we see the fullness of God, and is worthy of worship? The short answer is simply that God has proven his word to be true time and time again.

1. God spoke, and creation happened.

2. God made a promise to Adam and Eve, and Jesus Christ fulfilled it.

‌3. God spoke to Moses, and His law was given to mankind.

‌4. He spoke through the prophets, and more than 300 Messianic prophecies are fulfilled in Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection.

‌5. He promised that one day he will return to fulfill his kingdom for all eternity, and we must make a choice:

Will we trust Him, who is holy and trustworthy beyond a reasonable doubt, or will we, in disobedience, carry out our own path to find comfort, trust, and righteousness?

Trustworthy Holiness

When we deal with suffering for someone else’s actions on our lives.

When we suffer the consequences of our sinful nature.

When we face the brokenness of the world as it affects us physically, spiritually, emotionally.

When the church faces changes or adversity.

When new chapters begin and old chapters close.

When we see the need of our sinful self for eternal life.

Dear friends, God is the only being in the universe worthy of unwavering trust because He alone is the only one who can make us holy. YHWH is the only one who can transform us from cadavers to thriving saints because of who He is.

Dear ones, how is God calling you to answer in obedience? Do you need to confess your sins and return to the path of righteousness? As the Lord leads, pray where you are or at the altar.

Do you see the light of God's Love for you, making salvation available to you for the first time, come and confess your need of him and surrender your life to His majesty and grace?

Is God calling you to serve Him and to give your life to propel the gospel to the ends of the earth? Then come and let it be known to your church family.

As God leads you, you obey, and we will rejoice over His work in your life.