God's Presence

Hebrews 9: 23-28

It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Greetings my Beloved,

I have had an amazing time in worship today - so much so, that it has been difficult to get any work done. However, by the grace of God - surprisingly, I have gotten a lot accomplished. I can feel the Lord's presence all around me, just from true authentic worship. I believe God wants nothing more, than for us to fully devote ourselves to worshipping Him. It is so awesome that we serve a God that is the master and creator of all things.

Ephesians 1:11, In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will. God's master plan was for us, allowing us - gentiles - to go beyond where His chosen people were able to go. Only the priests were able to enter the Holy of Holies within the temple, and even then only once a year once a sacrifice was made on behalf of them and their family. Yet, Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for us to be able to enter the Holiest of places - God's presence. But are we able to enter with an unclean heart? It is interesting that earlier in this chapter, the sacrifice included sins committed in ignorance. Hebrews 9:7 But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. Yet I wonder how are we, as sinners to enter the Lord's presence, without being struck down? We are so undeserving. How ignorant are we, not to realize our uncleanness, yet wanting to be face to face with the Lord? How can we ask to see the Lord's glory, yet retain our unclean hearts? We have allowed so much of the culture to enter into our hearts - God's temple. The moment we allow idols in our life, we are committing adultry to the Lord. How can we treat God so common? How can we allow ourselves to get wrapped up in our fleshly desires, when God has given everything to us? Let us be like Isaiah, take the coal, Lord, cleanse my lips: Isaiah 6:5-7, Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” I want to be cleansed, purified, worthy to be within the Lord's presence, to see His Glory. For, God is so Holy, and I am not. Only through Him, can I be purified, to be set apart to be righteous according to His will, His pleasing and perfect will. Let this be our prayer:

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, ... in view of God’s mercy, to offer [our] bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is [our] true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of [our] mind. Then [we] will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Purify our hearts, our minds, and our lips, Lord. Let us be pleasing and acceptable to you, a pure living sacrifice. Lord, we want to be pure, spotless, and blameless, so that we can enter into your presence. Lord we want to be Holy as you are Holy. We want to be closer to you. In your name we pray, Amen.