June 25

In that day men will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. — Isa 17:7 BSB

The very name “the Holy One of Israel” has a sweetness that melts the heart of a poor sinner. What are we, as fallen children of Adam? Filthy, defiled, and polluted, completely unfit for God’s presence. What could make such an unclean, unworthy, deformed sinner fit for the eternal presence and enjoyment of the Triune Jehovah, except a Savior like the Holy One of Israel, whose blood cleanses from all sin? The soul that stands in Him stands complete, without spot or blemish. Shouldn’t the heart of such a soul leap with joy when, by faith, they are able to lay hold of this Holy One of Israel?

But this living faith and spiritual reception of the Mediator between God and man cannot exist until a person is brought to a place of deep need for the Holy One of Israel. Until they are stripped of all creaturely strength, they cannot truly understand or desire the strength of Christ to be made perfect in their weakness. Christ’s wisdom, righteousness, blood, and love, as well as His gracious presence, are mere words and concepts until the soul feels its poverty and need, and the Spirit makes known “the unsearchable riches of Christ” as experiential realities. This gracious discovery is what endears the Holy One of Israel to the soul. There is no divine faith, hope, or affection for the Holy One of Israel until that moment when there is no one else to look to, no hope in the creature, and all self-righteousness has failed, leaving the soul to be saved by free grace or perish forever.