God is the Holy One of Israel | Encounter God #21

Have you ever thought of God as the Holy One of Israel? Can you think of any time this name of God was used in prayer with other believers or even in a modern-day worship song?

Wouldn’t you agree that the Holy One of Israel is a name that has special meaning to God’s people of long ago but may feel foreign to us?

We’re out of touch with this side of God’s character and nature, as we don’t identify as the people of Israel. We’re not wandering through physical deserts, following a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, even though there isn’t a soul among us who hasn’t experienced their one spiritual, emotional, or physical wilderness season.

When we journey through hardships, it is not likely that we’ll call upon the Holy One of Israel.

We’re more likely to cry out to God, our Provider, Redeemer, and Friend. We may seek after our Rescuer and Restorer of all things.

But what if we did lean into this name of God, as the Holy One of Israel? How might that change our relationship with Him and understanding of His promises?

Then I will praise you with music on the harp,   
because you are faithful to your promises, O my God.
I will sing praises to you with a lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.

Psalm 71:22 NLT

Out of context, it’s hard to understand what led the Psalmist to declare God faithful to His promises and worthy of praising in Song. But if you read the entire Psalm, you’ll uncover the heart cry of a soul that has endured a lifetime of ups and downs. He’s known God since his youth. He’s been through trials, suffering, prosecution, wrong-doing . . . and he believes that God was not only with him but also the cause of hardships at times. Can you say the same for yourself?

Do you see God as the one who “. . . caused [you] to experience many troubles and misfortunes, but [He] will revive [you] again. [He] will bring [you] up again, even from the depths of the earth” (Psalm 71:20 NLT).

What a perspective shift, right?

The Psalmist, in his own proclamations about the faithfulness of the Holy One of Israel challenges us to rethink our definition of who God His and what fulfilling His promises in life should look like. Yes, it’s a mindset shift to be able to praise God even when things aren’t turning out how we hoped as we cling to the truth that God is still the Hoy One, of Israel, sovereign overall.

God’s goodness, His holiness, His faithfulness stands firm from the beginning of the age until now. For the people of Israel and for us. Who God is . . . is not defined by how we feel. Who God is . . . is defined by who He is and what He has done for His people . . . the Israelites and also for us.

God, You are the Holy One of Israel, faithful to your promises. Forgive us when we forget Your nature, Your character, Your name and choose to remember only the side of you that feels comfortable and familar. Open our hearts and minds to the fullness of who You truly are. Increase our faith and trust in You, and the ability to understand how You can allow both hardships and blessings. May You always be the one who revives our souls.

In the Strong Name of Jesus, Amen

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