Charles Stanley Daily Devotional 24 May 2026 (In Touch) Sunday Message
Charles Stanley Daily Devotional TOPIC: The Great Divide
SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 55:8-9
When we picture Jesus as our bridge to God, we might begin to wonder what creates the gap between us and the Father.
Scripture reveals God’s holiness in vivid terms. He is the “Most High” and is described as “lofty and exalted” (Psalm 9:2; Isaiah 6:1). He declares, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways” (55:9). This isn’t just about physical distance—it’s about the infinite difference between God’s perfect holiness and our sinful nature.
Moses experienced this at the burning bush when God warned him not to come too close (Exodus 3:5). Later, when Israel built the tabernacle, God restricted access to the Holy of Holies, allowing only the chief priest to enter just once a year—on the Day of Atonement (Hebrews 9:7). The message was clear: Sinful humanity could not approach a holy God and survive. Scripture even describes God as “consuming fire” and dwelling in “unapproachable light” (Deuteronomy 4:24; 1 Timothy 6:16).
Why did Jesus come to us? Only the perfect, sinless Son of God could reach the Father and stand in His presence. And in Christ, we can share in that intimacy—not because we’ve earned it through our own holiness, but because He clothed us in His righteousness and brought us safely across.
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Ezra 5-7
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Only when clothed in Christ’s righteousness can we stand before a holy God.
Dr. Charles F. Stanley was the founder of In Touch Ministries and a New York Times best-selling author. Throughout his ministry, he demonstrated a keen awareness of people’s needs and provided Christ-centered biblically based principles for everyday life.