God's presence
It is truly sad how few Christians enter in. This seems to be a lament... "I don't feel God," is often heard. But the problem is not on God's side... He sent His Son to die to rip down the curtain so all could enter into His presence (i.e. the Holy of Holies). The only thing holding God back is what a person keeps from God. Until He is in control of all, Christians will settle for cheap substitutes that they think will fulfill but truly won't. Matthew 13:44-46 says, "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."
There is a beautiful symbolism of the tabernacle representing entering into God's presence that I have heard both Juanita Bynum and Tozer (in The Pursuit of God - great book) talk of. First, is the outer court, where confession occurs and forgiveness is offered. Sadly, most Christians come to think this is all prayer is and start to not like it after a while. Unfortunatly, this is only the beginning. After progressing through the Holy Place one then enters the Holy of Holies where they truly enter God's presence. It is here that the power of God comes down and all of the things that are advertised about Christianity: love, joy, peace, wholeness, answers to prayer, etc., occur. Unfortunatly, since so few enter the Holy of Holies because of refusal to submit control to God, they have no grasp of how wide, deep, etc. is the love of God truly for them.
God is waiting for us to enter in... are we willing to give up the trinkets of this world to grasp what is incomparable? One of my favorite verses I will quote again, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your hearts." - Jeremiah 29:13.
There is a beautiful symbolism of the tabernacle representing entering into God's presence that I have heard both Juanita Bynum and Tozer (in The Pursuit of God - great book) talk of. First, is the outer court, where confession occurs and forgiveness is offered. Sadly, most Christians come to think this is all prayer is and start to not like it after a while. Unfortunatly, this is only the beginning. After progressing through the Holy Place one then enters the Holy of Holies where they truly enter God's presence. It is here that the power of God comes down and all of the things that are advertised about Christianity: love, joy, peace, wholeness, answers to prayer, etc., occur. Unfortunatly, since so few enter the Holy of Holies because of refusal to submit control to God, they have no grasp of how wide, deep, etc. is the love of God truly for them.
God is waiting for us to enter in... are we willing to give up the trinkets of this world to grasp what is incomparable? One of my favorite verses I will quote again, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your hearts." - Jeremiah 29:13.
posted by Seltzer at 7:42 PM
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