“Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.” – Psalm 22:3 

Scripture reading: Revelation 4:1-11

Verse 3 shows this sufferer’s changed perspective. Now he doesn’t plead for mercy to God. Instead, he acknowledges who God is! There is no desperate cry here. The alienation is set aside. Naturally you would think he would appeal to the compassion of God. Isn’t that what we see elsewhere in the psalms and throughout Scripture? Psalm 103:13-14 is but one example amongst many.

Yet, it’s the highest ground of all that David reaches for here – the holiness of God. This is his next prayerful appeal. Can he do this, though? Doesn’t the theme of God as “holy” really bring out the biggest difference there could be between himself and God?

Does it? Look again. For in the same line as “holy” there is also the name “Israel”. He who is the holy God is also the God who made a covenant with His chosen people. It would be impossible for an Israelite to think of God’s holiness without also considering that covenant relationship. In Leviticus 19:1 the Lord tells His people through Moses, “Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.” And how much isn’t this vividly shown with the picture from heaven in our reading? I mean, how else would you know God thus? And how else would you even think to live this way?

Suggestions for prayer

Confess those times you have thought and said and did what was against what you should be in Christ. Praise the Lord that he forgives you and renews you.

Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.