Three is a magic number

December 2, 2009

Early on in grade school, when I would write stories, I'd overuse the exclamation point. If something got really exciting, it wouldn't be unusual for me to express this excitement with a whole line (or three) of !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'s. My teacher, I am sure, tired of reading nothing but !!!!!!!!'s, explained that three exclamation points are quite sufficient. She said that one works for most cases, but if you're really excited about something, that it is acceptable to use three at most. Three reads as much excitement. If you use too many, she taught, what you said loses its excitement value.

I've been doing all this research for a book, and I read something really fascinating, and I was going to save my little sweet morsel of information, but I can't hold onto it any longer! They're playing all these Christmas carols on the radio right now, and everytime I hear the word "holy" I think of it. I think it's so cool, I can't keep it in any more, I am bursting at the seams to tell you! I just hope you think it is, too.

In Isaiah 6:3 and again in Revelation 4:8, the angels cry "Holy Holy Holy!"

I had always heard that this was a reference to the Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. But one of my commentaries explains that it also serves as a device to show that the angels can't satisfy themselves in the praises of God. They could go on forever! It's like exclamation points that could extend on and on if it wouldn't get tiring for the reader and lose its value. Holy! Holy! Holy! The angels are this excited about the majesty and the glory of God and their praises go on and on.

This should signal how we are to praise Him also.. Our praises should never cease. They should continuously glorify Him. He is HOLY HOLY HOLY! He is full of majesty and mercy and grace! He is mighty and wonderful and good!!!

I will bless the LORD at all times ; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1

And my tongue shall declare Your righteousness And Your praise all day long. Psalm 35:28

Praise the LORD ! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant and praise is becoming. Psalm 147:1
(had to put three today!)