Meeting God

I was reading in the Old Testament today, Book of Exodus, about the Tent of Meeting or the Tabernacle.  It always astonishes me.  The attention to detail that God required of the Israelites in building the Tabernacle was all a foreshadowing for Christ.  I studied the Tabernacle about 10 years ago in  Bible School and it was truly fascinating.  There were so many requirements for the people to come into the Presence of God.  Only the High Priest could enter the place called The Holy of Holies, and at that, only once a year.  Individuals could not access God.  The priests were the only ones.  I can't imagine having to go to a priest every time I had a request.  Thank God, my High Priest--Jesus-- is with me always and that His Holy Spirit leads me!

As I think on all of that, knowing that Jesus' death and resurrection opens the way for us to enter in to God's presence, I can't help but think that I may enter in to it too lightly at times. 

As human beings and as Americans in general, we do not esteem things the way we once did.  We have become so utterly casual with everything.  We focus on our comfort above most else, and don't even get me started on our speech!  But I think, in all of this, we are the ones who lose.  When everything is common place, then nothing is revered.   I fear that many of us have that view of God.

Jesus' sacrifice has made coming before a Holy God permissible, but He still must be revered.  The Bible continuously talks about the "Fear of the Lord".  This is not so that we live in fear of God, but that we honor Him, Worship Him, seek Him, Live our lives as Holy--right living unto God.  We are to be Righteous because He is Righteous, forgiving, because He is Forgiving.  Having the fear of the Lord is loving Him. 

Jesus instructed us to pray:  Our Father, Who are in Heaven, HALLOWED be Your Name... (Lk 11)
To be hallowed is to be consecrated, set apart and revered.  We are to view God as Higher than anything else in the world! We are also, since He is Hallowed,  to set ourselves apart.  We are live in this world, but not of this world.  Meaning that the things that the world goes after--sexual immorality, greed, power, lies, deceitfulness, gossip and all the rest, are not to be what we choose for ourselves.  We are to be different, because He is different and we are His.

When Jesus set himself apart from the others to pray, He prayed on His knees or on his face before God.  I have to admit, I have not always taken this position physically.  I spend my prayer time most days in my bed.  But today as I was reading this, I was convicted in my heart that I should physically bow my body as I do my heart, when I pray.  Just one more way to demonstrate to a Holy God my reverence of Him.

Lord, You alone are Holy, You alone are the Most High God.  I love you and worship you with my whole heart.  Holy Spirit, help me to always remember my place when I come before my Father.  Thank you Lord Jesus for being my mediator, my High Priest.  It is only by your blood, that I can even come.  Praise Your Name.  Amen