HOLINESS BECOMETH THINE HOUSE
“Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.” Psalm 93:5
When we think of the house of God, several images may come to mind. Of course, we think of the Old Testament tabernacle and temple where God met with His people and they worshipped Him. We know that Heaven is God’s house; and of course, the New Testament churches are “the house of God” (I Timothy 3:15). Our text would apply to each of these places God has chosen to manifest His Word and His presence, “holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.”
Holiness should always be associated with God’s house. God is holy. His nature is holy, as are His works and His Word. Therefore, holiness becomes His house. The church should be holy. The members of the church should be sanctified unto the Lord. The leaders should be holy, the worship services should be holy, the music should be holy, the ordinances should be holy, and the prayers should be holy.
It is not new that attempts would be made to profane God’s house. Nadab and Abihu “offered strange fire before the LORD” (Leviticus 10:1). Lucifer was expelled from Heaven because of his unholy pride and rebellion. Uzza was killed because of the unholy manner in which the ark was being transported. Ananias and Sapphira were killed because of their hypocritical worship. In Ezekiel’s day, the priests “profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane” (Ezekiel 22:26).
We are witnessing much more of the same in our day. There is a departure from the standard of holiness when it comes to the house of God. Worldly music has been invading the places of worship. Indecent and unholy attire is commonplace in the houses of God. If Uzza was killed for perverting the means of transporting the ark, why should pastors and churches think they have license to alter God’s Word and worship to suit their own lusts?
There should be one place, the church, where holiness is the standard. God’s house should be holy. The atmosphere and activities should not be worldly or profane. Our text begins with the words, “Thy testimonies are very sure.” God’s Word never changes. It is His unchanging and holy Word that helps to maintain the standards of holiness in our lives and in our churches.