The Holiness of God: The Holiness of His Name

We are beginning a brand-new series: The Holiness of God. This study takes us into the heart of Scripture to see God as He truly is—holy, set apart, and glorious beyond measure. His holiness is not an abstract idea or a distant theological claim. It is the defining reality of who He is. One of the clearest and most powerful revelations of His holiness is found in Isaiah 6, a moment where human eyes glimpse heavenly worship.

Isaiah recalls:

“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.” (Isaiah 6:1, NKJV)

This image sets the stage for pure majesty. Isaiah sees the Lord enthroned—not merely present but exalted. The train of His robe fills the temple, signifying overwhelming glory and unapproachable splendor.

And verse 3 tells us:

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!”

The seraphim—burning ones—declare the thrice-holy Name of God. Their song is not poetic exaggeration. It is perfect theology. To repeat something three times in Hebrew is to give it the highest possible emphasis. In other words, God’s holiness is His essence, His identity, and His glory revealed.

This vision reminds us that God’s holiness is not a secondary attribute—it is the center of who He is. His holiness fills heaven and earth, resounds in angelic worship, and demands our reverence.

If you want a deeper visual explanation on this theme, watch the message connected to this teaching here: https://youtu.be/_Dl4iH--1QY

Holiness and the Name of God

To fully grasp the holiness revealed in Isaiah’s vision, we must look back to another moment of divine revelation: Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3). Before Israel was a nation, before miracles were displayed, before the law was given—there was the Name.

Moses, tending sheep in the wilderness, encountered a bush aflame yet not consumed. This unusual sight drew him in, but it was the voice that changed his life forever. There God revealed His covenant Name:

“I AM WHO I AM… Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.” (Exodus 3:14-15, NKJV)

This was not a mere introduction. God was disclosing His nature.

The Name I AM WHO I AM (Hebrew: Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh) declares that God is:

• eternal

• self-existent

• unchanging

• dependent on no one

• the source of all that exists

Unlike human rulers who rise and fall, Yahweh simply is. His existence does not begin, depend, or diminish. Everything else borrows breath; God is the breath.

The Israelites held this Name in such reverence that they often did not speak it aloud, substituting Adonai (“Lord”) when reading Scripture. They understood that His Name was holy because it revealed His holy nature.

The Weight of the Name

When God says, I AM, He proclaims truths that anchor our entire faith and shape our understanding of who He is.

He IS — fully present, sovereign, and attentive in this very moment. Nothing escapes His attention or overwhelms His power.

He WAS — before time began, before creation existed, before humanity drew breath. His holiness predates all things.

He WILL BE — unchanged by cultures, kingdoms, or generations. He remains God forever, faithful and true.

His Name reveals His holiness because it points to His absolute uniqueness. He alone is eternal. He alone is unchanging. He alone is set apart from all creation. His Name declares that He is not merely above creation—He is distinct from it.

This is why the angels in Isaiah’s vision cry out “Holy, holy, holy.” They are not singing to a distant deity or a casual master. They are worshiping the eternal, self-existent, unchanging God whose very Name radiates holiness.

A Call to Reverence

God’s Name is not to be treated lightly. Scripture consistently warns that His Name is sacred and should be honored, lifted high, and never trivialized. To misuse or diminish His Name is to misrepresent His character.

Exodus 3:15 tells us that His Name is “a memorial to all generations.” This means every generation—including ours—is responsible to steward His Name with reverence, awe, and honor.

To speak His Name is to acknowledge His holiness. To worship His Name is to recognize His greatness. To bear His Name as believers is to reflect His character.

When we treat His Name casually, we treat His holiness casually. When we honor His Name, we honor Him.

🌿 Reflection

• Do I treat God’s Name with the reverence it deserves, in both speech and worship?

• What does it mean for me personally that God is “I AM”—unchanging, eternal, and always present?

Pray: “Lord, forgive me for the times I have taken Your Name lightly. Help me to live in reverence of Your holiness and honor Your Name in all I do.”

The Holiness of His Name in Worship

The holiness of God’s Name shapes the way we worship. His Name is not casual because His holiness is not casual. Each time we pray, praise, or proclaim His Word, we are handling something sacred.

Worship becomes more than a song—it becomes a declaration of who God is.

When we worship, we are declaring that He is. Our praises affirm His present power and presence.

When we remember His works, we affirm that He was. Our testimonies echo His faithfulness across generations.

When we trust His promises, we proclaim that He will be. Our faith becomes a living prophecy of His unchanging nature.

Every act of worship becomes a testimony to the holiness of His Name. Worship is not merely expressive; it is reverent alignment with God’s eternal identity.

Closing Devotional

The holiness of God is inseparably tied to His Name. The angels cry “Holy, holy, holy” because they know He is the eternal I AM. His Name declares His uniqueness, His eternal presence, and His unchanging nature.

As we carry His Name in our worship, our prayers, and our daily lives, we are invited to walk in reverence and awe. His holiness is not casual—and neither should our response be. When we speak His Name, we step onto holy ground. When we worship His Name, we join the anthem of heaven.

🌿 Final Reflection Questions

• How can I cultivate a deeper awareness of God’s holiness in my daily life?

• In what ways might I be treating His Name casually, and how can I change that?

• How does knowing God as I AM giving me confidence in moments of uncertainty?

🙏 Closing Prayer

Holy God, You are I AM—the One who was, who is, and who will be forever. Your Name is holy, eternal, and unchanging. Teach me to honor Your Name with reverence in every word I speak and every act of worship I give. Let my life reflect the holiness of Your Name, so that others may see and glorify You. Amen.