God does these things because he is Jehovah Qadash, which means, “the LORD who makes holy.”
“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Say to the Israelites, “You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy.” Exodus 31:12–13
Why would a just and holy God care about the troubles of people who are simply reaping the harsh consequences of their own foolish decisions?
Why should a perfect God pay attention to the prayers of imperfect people who are reliable only in their unreliability?
Why does a sinless God give grace (and multiple chances) to people who repeatedly choose their own path over His?
God does these things because he is Jehovah Qadash, which means, “the LORD who makes holy.”
This is one of the most remarkable things about God. One might think that God, being God, would be content to sit back and bask in His glory and honor. On the contrary, He is loving and generous. He actually pays attention to us broken people.
This is one of the great mysteries of life. Though sinful people do not deserve a second glance, let alone a second chance, God does not write off humanity. Instead, God has been implementing a “holiness plan” for us that was designed even before our first ancestors sinned.
It’s a mind-boggling plan that not only makes us right with God but also makes us holy like His Son, Jesus. God’s desire for every believer is that “Christ is formed in” them (Galatians 4:19).
How can this be when we follow Christ so imperfectly? We stumble. We fail. Like Thomas, we doubt if God will come through. Like Peter, we deny Him when we get scared.
Like David, we seek our own pleasure rather than God’s heart. Yet still, God continues—relentlessly, almost stubbornly—to love and transform us. He is committed to see us grow into Christlikeness.
What’s the promise of the God who sanctifies? “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
Why does God love you? Why does He want to see you continue to grow in your faith? Why does He care? Because God loves you too much to leave you as you are.
Describe a change in your life that you know was caused by spiritual growth.
Prayer:
God, I would never choose sanctification. It’s too difficult a road. But You have saved me from the penalty of sin, and You are also saving me from sin’s power. One day You will save me from the very presence of sin. Hallelujah! Amen.