I love movies and TV shows—maybe a little too much—but as I watch them today, even many faith-based ones, I notice a disturbing trend. There’s a message of belief and faith that’s often pushed, not in faith in God, but in belief in oneself. We’re encouraged to rely on our inner strength, a concept that I just can’t find in Scripture. The Bible seems to tell me the opposite—my view of myself should be low, while my view of God should be high. I need God, and He is not like me.
Life is hard. People are broken. This world is broken. We need a higher power to navigate this life, and that higher power is God. As I grow older, my favorite attribute of God has become His holiness—the fact that He is sacred and not like me. I’ve had my share of heartbreaks, and I’ve let myself down many times. But knowing that God is not like that—that He doesn’t fail, doesn’t lie, and isn’t like man—is something for which I am incredibly grateful.
There’s another thing I’ve noticed that concerns me: a casualness with the things of God. I often hear people talk about God in a way that’s far too casual, as if He’s just another figure in their lives. In movies and TV, people might say they’re going to ask God something or let Him know something when they meet Him. They refer to Him with phrases like “the man upstairs” or “the big guy in the sky,” as if He’s a buddy or just another acquaintance. But this is not how Scripture portrays God. We need to take a step back and realize who God truly is.
When we look at Scripture, particularly in passages like Isaiah 6, we see a God who is high and lifted up. When the prophet Isaiah had a vision of God in the temple, he didn’t casually think, “Oh, I can ask Him whatever I want.” Instead, he cried, “Woe to me!” He recognized God’s holiness and was immediately aware of his own unworthiness. In contrast, we often forget this. We lie and think nothing of it. We get angry and justify it. We sin regularly and fail to be contrite. We don’t recognize the gravity of our sin because we’ve become too casual with it, and ultimately, too casual with God.
This is where the Apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 2:15 come into play:
“That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” (Philippians 2:15, ESV)
How are we supposed to live as authentic followers of Jesus Christ in such a world? How do we persevere in keeping with Paul’s standard? I believe the key is having a high view of God. In order to develop a high view of God, there are three key attributes of His that we must keep in mind. These attributes remind us of His greatness and shape our perspective of who He is and how we should approach Him.
1. God is Sovereign
Isaiah 6 opens with a stunning vision of God’s sovereignty:
“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of His robe filled the temple.” (Isaiah 6:1, ESV)
In this moment, Isaiah sees God enthroned in glory, with supreme authority and control over all things. The imagery of God’s throne shows that He is the ultimate ruler of the universe—entirely in control, regardless of earthly rulers and powers. The death of King Uzziah, a human king, marks a shift in the kingdom, but it does not signify uncertainty. God remains sovereign, high and lifted up, ruling with unshakable authority.
As we reflect on God’s sovereignty, we are reminded that He holds the world in His hands. No circumstance, no matter how chaotic it may seem, is beyond His control. This reality should comfort us and call us to trust in His perfect plans.
2. God is Holy
Isaiah’s vision continues as he sees seraphim—angelic beings—surrounding God’s throne, declaring His holiness:
“And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!'” (Isaiah 6:3, ESV)
The thrice-repeated declaration of God’s holiness underscores His perfection, purity, and absolute separateness from anything sinful or impure. Holiness is central to God’s nature; He is utterly set apart and distinct from His creation. The seraphim’s praise is a reminder that God’s holiness is not just an attribute—it is His essence. His holiness fills the earth with His glory.
When Isaiah encounters God’s holiness, he is immediately aware of his own sinfulness:
“And I said: ‘Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!'” (Isaiah 6:5, ESV)
The recognition of God’s holiness leads Isaiah to a deep awareness of his own inadequacy and sin. When we come face to face with God’s holiness, we, too, should be humbled and filled with awe, recognizing that He is beyond our comprehension and wholly other than ourselves.
3. God is Gracious
In Isaiah’s moment of despair, when he feels unworthy to stand in God’s presence, God responds with grace:
“Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.'” (Isaiah 6:6-7, ESV)
God’s grace is evident in His response to Isaiah’s confession. Despite Isaiah’s awareness of his sin, God purges his guilt, cleanses him, and atones for his sin. This act of grace points forward to the ultimate atonement that would come through Jesus Christ. God’s holiness demands justice, but His grace provides forgiveness and restoration.
Isaiah’s encounter with God is not only a revelation of divine holiness and sovereignty, but also a demonstration of God’s deep compassion and mercy. Even in the face of Isaiah’s sin, God makes a way for him to be cleansed and restored. This grace is extended to all who seek forgiveness, and it reminds us that God’s grace is always available to us through Christ.
Isaiah 6 gives us a high view of God, revealing His sovereignty, holiness, and grace. As we reflect on these truths, we are called to stand in awe of our sovereign God, to humbly recognize His holiness, and to approach Him with gratitude for His gracious forgiveness. May this vision of God shape the way we live, worship, and trust in Him.
In my own life, I’ve been guilty of not having a high enough view of God. At times, I’ve been too casual in my approach, forgetting the gravity of His holiness and the majesty of His sovereignty. But each day, as I continue to learn more about who God truly is, my heart is drawn back to a deeper awe of Him. We all need a high view of God—one that lifts our eyes from ourselves and fixes them firmly on the One who is truly worthy of all honor, praise, and reverence.
