We All Sing Holy

Music and Lyrics: Edwin M. Willmington

O Lord, You have known us for all of our days,

You know us without and within;

You shepherd us lovingly, caring and guiding,

And cover our hearts from all sin.

Your majesty, Lord, is beyond all our wond’ring,

Your glory outshines any light;

All creatures extol You, All men shout Your praise,

They stand in great awe of Your might!

(Chorus)

And we all sing holy, holy, holy is the Lord;

We all sing holy, holy, holy is the Lord.

Holy is the Lord!

Lord, You are holy (Alleluia, sing alleluia),

Lord, You are worthy (Sing alleluia),

O Lord, You are worthy (You are worthy, Lord!),

Lord, You are worthy!

Chorus

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.

Amen, amen, amen.

Read Isaiah 6:1-7.

Holiness was seated on His throne, clothed in His robes of righteousness and virtue, wearing His crown of glory and carrying the scepter of grace. Love entered the throne room, and covering his eyes, fell prostrate before the throne, crying out to Holiness, "O Majestic One, I have struggled so to be what you would have me be, but somehow I always seem to fall short. Great passion burns in my breast for those I love; but the feeling fades when my expectations aren't met, and I receive nothing in return." Holiness sadly shook His head, having seen Love fail like this time and again. "Love, if only you would separate yourself from the impulsiveness of feelings, you would learn that true love is born of undying commitment with no expectation of return. If you will but follow me, I will teach you the sacrifice of love."

Next, Joy crept into the throne room and with a nervous giggle, approached Holiness and said, "Lord, why is it that when I am happiest, ready to sing praises and dance, a terrible trial befalls me and strips me of my happiness? Surely you don't expect me to be unhappy all the time." "My little Joy," exclaimed the Lord, "I never created you for unhappiness. You never learned that if you held my hand during times of trial and stress, the difficulties of life wouldn't really matter, because I would help you. If you will hold my hand and walk with me, I will teach you to be rejoicing in all things."

Peace entered the throne room, stumbling a little over the threshold. "Peace, how can I help you today?" offered Holiness. "Master, I find that I crave composure and tranquility in my life. And sometimes, I actually have it. But more often than not, I find myself being caught up in the conflict and strife that is always hovering near, and my tranquility vanishes, and my composure suffers greatly." "Peace," murmured Holiness, "come closer. Draw near to Me when conflict and strife surround you, separating yourself from it, and you will find a refuge more tranquil than anything you crave."

Patience entered the throne room looking anything but calm. "Holiness, you've got to help me! I thought I could handle everything that comes my way. And I actually do pretty well with the big things that get thrown at me. But I can't deal with the little day-to-day things that frustrate me — so many little things that just pick away at my day. It's really wearing me down." Holiness took one look at Patience, and with a slight smile touching His lips, said, "Yes, I've been watching you, and I know how hard you try. Patience, you handle the big things well because you are watching Me and seeking My lead. The day-to-day things frustrate you so, because you have taken your eyes off Me. Seek Me in the little things, and you will find refreshment in your day."

Kindness and Goodness came into the throne room, linked arm in arm. "Well, what can I do for the two of you?" Kindness and Goodness knelt and said, "Oh, Blessed One, we try to share of ourselves as You would have us. But we come up against so much opposition and injustice that we wonder if it is really worth our time." Stern lines formed on the face of Holiness. "Kindness, your heart is soft when your efforts are appreciated. And Goodness, I have seen your deeds accomplish great things. However, Kindness, you give up in the face of persistent injustice, and Goodness, your deeds seem to be at your convenience, not that of others. The two of your must learn from Me the sacrifice of self before you will truly be effective."

The afternoon was wearing on as Faithfulness stepped forward to keep his appointment. "Holiness," he humbly whispered, "I long to be steadfast and loyal in everything I do and to keep my promises just as you have taught. But it seems that my life becomes cluttered with so many commitments that I have a hard time fulfilling my promises." Holiness reached out and clasped Faithfulness' hand, and lovingly said, "Your desires are honorable ones, but Faithfulness, you promise others the world, and that is not yours to give. Promise only what is within your power to give, point others to me for everything else, and you will find yourself a loyal and true friend."

Gentleness came gliding into the room and bowed before the throne. "My Shepherd, I am struggling with being too soft in a harsh world. How can I possibly maintain my tenderness with the constant ill treatment that goes on all around me?" "Gentleness, you are right to be concerned. However, if you will remain meek before your adversaries, I will come to your defense, so all will see the victory."

Finally, Self-Control came before the throne and proclaimed, "My Creator, I love you so. And I know what you would have for me. But I am waging a war with myself when I do the very things I do not wish to do. I fear it is wearing me down, and I will lose the battle. Please save me from myself." Holiness gazed at Self-Control, and tears began to form in His eyes. "My precious one. How I have longed to hear those words. For I created you from the beginning of time for Myself. Come and live with Me, and I will clothe you in My robe of righteousness and separate you from your sin."

Extending His scepter of grace, Holiness gathered around Him all that belonged to Him, separating them from the sins of their hearts, and clothing them in the very essence of His being. And the children of God sang of His worthiness, for they knew that they would not be who they were without Holiness.

Food for Thought:

Compare I Peter 1:15-16 and Galatians 5:25 with Psalm 139:23. How do you see these verses relating to each other?

Holiness has been defined as the separation from sin unto God. What do you see happening to the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) in your life when they are not accompanied by holiness?

How has God manifested His holiness in your life this week, and how have you expressed your awareness of this to Him?

Cross References:

I Chronicles 16:10...Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad.

Psalm 33:8...Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.

Psalm 139:23...Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.

Psalm 145:21...My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord; and all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.

Isaiah 6:3...And one called out to another and said, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory."

Luke 1:49...for the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name.

John 10:14...I am the Good Shepherd; and I know My own, and My own know Me.

John 10:27...My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

Galatians 5:22-23,25...But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law....If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Hebrews 12:28...Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which can not be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe.

I Peter 1:15-16...but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior, because it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

Revelation 3:8...I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

Revelation 15:4...Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? For Thou alone art holy; For all the nations will come and worship before Thee, for Thy righteous acts have been revealed.

All lyrics reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for local church use only, without the prior permission of Kimberly H. Shoup.

shoups@ifriendly.com

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