The Holy One of Israel is our Redeemer; Yahweh of Hosts is His name."

"When that day comes, the deaf will hear the words written in the book.  The blind will see out of their gloom and darkness.  Humble people again will find joy in Yahweh.  The poorest of people will find joy in Qedosh Yisrael."  Is. 29:18-19 .    

Qedosh Yisrael is "Holy One of Israel."

When I pray in the moment, for whatever reason, "My holy land" seems to come out of my mouth frequently.  This scripture really gives me a richer perspective of the impact of His holiness.   Commentary notes, "things, times, places, people, and other created beings can come holy by virtue of their connection to God." [1]

1 Peter 1:15-16 says, “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

We are not holy in our own right but by our connection to a holy God. And not only are we to experience the impact of His holiness in our own lives, but as we live holy lives to God, we change the environment and impact people around us. Through this connection to a holy God, we can bring His holiness to the things, places, people, and times we live in.

Throughout 2 Kings, this principal was evident.

When a king was evil, he impacted the people and environment around him for evil. King Manasseh of Judah had desecrated Yahweh's temple by building altars for the army of heaven. He also burned his son as a sacrifice, consulted fortunetellers, cast evil spells, and appointed royal mediums and psychics (2 Kings 21:4-6).

By his practice of evil and unleashing of it in the land and on people, he influenced the environment and the people under him for evil. 2 Kings 21:9 says, “Manasseh misled Israel so that they did more evil things than the nations that Yahweh had destroyed when the Israelites arrived in the land.”

And when a king followed God, it impacted the people and the environment around him in the time for good. King Josiah of Judah followed the Lord and did what was right in his eyes. Because of this, God did not bring disaster on the land during his lifetime (2 Kings 22:19-20). During his reign the people began to follow the Lord again and celebrate Passover.

2 Kings 23:22 says, “The Passover had never been celebrated like this during the time of the judges who governed Israel or during the entire time of the kings of Israel and Judah.”

The land was also cleansed of evil during his reign. 2 Kings 23:24 says, “Josiah also got rid of the mediums, psychics, family idols, other idols, and disgusting gods that could be seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem. He did this to confirm the words of the Teachings written in the book that the priest Hilkiah found in Yahweh's temple.”

In this same way, we have influence on our environment around us. David proclaims in Psalm 8:4-5, “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor, You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet.”

Sometimes we don't realize our influence on the environment and people around us. We think if we hold a grudge, refuse to forgive or treat someone unfairly we are only impacting ourselves. But by our choices to extend grace and mercy to others, we are influencing the environment and the people around us with His light.

Saul knew this kind of kingdom influence as David worshiped when evil spirits came upon him and he experienced a sense of peace. By David's worship of God, he was influencing the environment in a way that the demons harassing Saul fled.

When we do our activities in connection to and worship of God, our influence extends beyond ourselves and touches other's lives.

This was evident to me last night at a prayer meeting. I went from a really hard week at work to a prayer meeting on campus Friday night. I had stress and tension I could feel in my body. As I sat down in the environment of prayer that was created, immense peace began to come over me and I began to relax. Because I had not slept well in nights due to the tension, I suddenly became incredibly tired as my body was overcome with unexplainable peace.

Jesus is the ultimate King and ruler who reigns. There will come a day when He will fully reign on the earth. Hebrews 2:8 says, “When God put everything under his Son's control, nothing was left out. However, at the present time we still don't see everything under His Son's control.”

Ultimately, we will be called to rule and reign with Him on His throne, having full impact on our environment by our choices. Revelation 5:10 says, “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

Revelation 3:21 says, “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.”

Lord, I pray the words of a friend who influences me for your kingdom, “  Come, Holy Spirit; shake us to our core; move us from our brokenness and our idols, and establish us ever more firmly in faithfulness and love for God; and then bring Your Kingdom, do Your works through us that will heal and restore.”

1.   Spangler, Ann and Neff, Lavonne.  The Names of God Bible.  Revell, Grand Rapids, MI.  1995.