Where’s the “Beauty” in Holiness? (Part 1: Creation’s Witness)

It is noteworthy that both the Psalmist and the Chronicler choose to describe holiness in terms of beauty—"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (1 Chronicles 16:29; 2 Chronicles 20:21; Psalm 29:2; 96:9). Which begs the question, “What’s so beautiful about holiness?”

Perhaps two indications are found in the Psalms references, where the beauty of holiness is first linked with the name of the Lord: “Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 29:2). Then, in Psalm 96:9, holiness is linked with creation: “Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. Tremble before him, all the earth.”  

All Creation is called to give witness to the beauty of holiness.

Creation itself can have a beauty that, when encountered, causes a catch in your breath—a snow-capped summit, a fawn bedded down in the woods, a full moon on a snowy night, a frolicking golden retriever puppy, the sun rising over the Atlantic, a perfect red rose. I grew up in West Virginia, known for its scenic mountains, rolling hills, and white-water rivers. The beauty of Creation has always been a means of grace for me.  

How does God’s work of Creation give witness to the beauty of holiness?

Have you noticed how often the word “separated” appears in Genesis 1? The story of Creation contains a series of separations, both explicit and implicit:  

·      The heavens and the earth are separated

·      Light and darkness are separated

·      Day and night are separated

·      Evening and morning are separated

·      The water above is separated from the water below

·      The land is separated from the water

·      The light of day is separated from the light of night

·      Woman is separated from man 

·      Finally, rest is separated from work

These separations have nothing to do with morality or goodness. They have everything to do with identity and purpose. The earth becomes beautiful as identity and purpose emerge and everything finds its intended purpose. The beauty of holiness is reflected when identity and purpose become perfectly aligned with God’s intention. 

Creation was originally good. All good. Very good.  The Garden of Eden before the Fall must have been an incredibly beautiful place – pure, pristine, perfect. 

All creation was beautiful, especially Adam and Eve, who in addition to being created “good,” were also created in the Image of God. When the Image in them was marred by sin, God commenced his good plan for the redemption and restoration of his Creation—his re-beautification plan, so to speak.  

The call to holiness is the call to see the beauty of Creation restored. Persons made beautifully whole. Relationships made beautifully whole. Ultimately, Creation made beautifully whole.  

That kind of beauty doesn’t just make you catch your breath; it makes the whole earth tremble.