Falling Prostrate

I’ve been reading through John Calvin’s commentary on the Gospels, and although I’m not even finished with his study of Luke 1, I am already thankful for his passion for Christ and for truth.

This quote struck me as I read the other day:

The presence of God fills men with alarm, which not only leads them to reverence, but humbles the pride of the flesh, naturally so insolent that they never submit themselves to God until they have been overcome by violence. Hence, too, we infer that it is only when God is absent, –or, in other words, when they withdraw from his presence, –that they indulge in pride and self-flatter; for if they had God as a Judge before their eyes, they would at once and unavoidably fall prostrate.

Is it not true? If you had God as Judge right before your eyes, would you flatter yourself? Would you be content with your lifestyle? Would you continue to live as you are? Or would you fall, unavoidably prostrate? Would you be humbled before the living God?

In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.

Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.

And one called out to another and said,
“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts,
The whole earth is full of His glory.”

And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke.

Then I said,
“Woe is me, for I am ruined!
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I live among a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”

- Isaiah 6:1-5, NASB

Tags: Calvin, God, Isaiah