This series takes a look at scenes in the Bible which are little known but have a profound impact on what we think when we think about God.

There was nothing special about the morning I first met Ethan. My wife and I, as is the case most mornings, were rudely awaken by our heartless alarm clock. After snoozing a couple times we finally prodded each other out of bed. While the kids kept sleeping, I quietly stumbled toward the coffee maker. Minutes later, sitting down at the dining room table with coffee in hand, I open the book of all books.

I bow my head asking for guidance. I meet Ethan. He takes me by the hand, in a very manly way, and says he has something to show me. His words drip with passionate fervor. I feel at first like a boy hearing, “I gotta show you what I got for Christmas.” But, as I sip my coffee with two little kids sleeping, I don’t feel like a boy. I feel like a man, with sober judgment, who has lost his innocence.

My children can hear something wretchedly evil on the news and have no capacity to process the information. When I hear of evil, I am able to comprehend the depth of the darkness. I am no boy.

As I sip my coffee with the weight of this life, Ethan assures me I’ll…enjoy…my time with him. The way he said enjoy was rather odd. He paused before and afterward. I could tell he yearned to use words which hadn’t already been watered down by society. Under his breath he was shaking his head saying, “I love these shoes. My car is awesome. That movie is amazing.”

Ethan could tell he was losing me, he quickly snapped out of his train of thought and simply said, “Come, follow me.” I’m interested, the kids are still sleeping. We walk down a long hallway. As we approach the door I can feel an intensity which I have never considered. Without hesitation the door opens and Ethan takes me to a place which changes me. Ethan records what is there:

Let the heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones! For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD, a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him? - Psalm 89:5-7

I see a scene which can only be described as stunning. It seems like a dream but I know it to be just as real as the coffee I am holding between my two hands. Many are gathered. The majority of the people in the room are known as “holy ones.”

I have never encountered a holy one. I find myself staring at their faces and into their eyes. I realize these holy ones have a story to tell which I have never heard. Who are you? What are you? Where did you come from? Where do you live? What do you do? How old are you? As these questions are floating around they suddenly vanish. My attention has been stolen by another.

It’s common knowledge an object is best comprehended when compared to another. These holy ones are more amazing than anyone I have ever met, yet when I look to the center of the assembly the holy ones are nothing. I see the Lord. Ethan said it so wonderfully, “He is awesome above all who are around Him.” When looking to the Lord, the majesty of the holy ones fade away. Human language fails to describe this One. It is best to simply say, the holy ones are afraid of Him because He is so superior to them. I cannot speak, I can only sit and consider how great He must be.

Ethan slowly shuts the door, we head back through the corridor, my eyes fill with tears. I grin and think to myself, “We’re in good hands.” The holy ones sit in fear of His greatness, yet it is He who has stooped down to humanity and offers to carry all our pain for all His peace.

The kids are waking up, yet it is I who has woken up once again from a world trying to cover up the assembly.