Guilt brought with it naked shame that stripped away all dignity. They stood before their creator with no excuse. Exile then death were the penalties for their choice but His choice was to provide a covering. However, for their sin to be covered there was a price that had to be paid. The blood of the innocent was shed to cover the shame of the guilty. Love covers a multitude of sins but not without a price.
The Mercy-Seat was the covering of the ark of the covenant. The Hebrew word used for the Mercy-Seat means a cover, but contains an allusion to the covering or forgiving of sins. Once a year the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies on the day of Atonement and sprinkle the Mercy-Seat with the blood of a sacrifice to cover the guilty to make atonement for sin. Once a year the high priest would come into the Holy of Holies seeking a calm and sure retreat from the shame and guilt of sin before the Mercy-Seat.
It was at the cross where mercy and faithfulness met together; it was at the cross where righteousness and peace kissed each other. When Jesus cried, "It is finished! " he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. The drops of blood that fell from his thorn pierced brow sprinkled the ground beneath the cross. Jesus our high priest sprinkled his own blood on Heaven's Mercy-Seat.
There are times the acussor comes to remind us of our guilt and shame. He comes to call attention to our failure but we have an invitation to come boldly to the throne of grace so that we can find grace and mercy to help us in our time of need. At the throne of God's mercy Satan is silenced. The blood of Jesus has covered us.
Lord Jesus, at the Mercy-Seat You gave, joy to the desolate, light to the straying, hope to the penitent. Because of Your mercy earth has no sorrows Heaven cannot heal my sin is covered and I have access to your throne.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Monday, July 21, 2014
God Provided an Ark
There was a time when the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. God judged the world for it's corruption and violence but He also provided an ark. There was a time when the Pharaoh commanded all his people that, "Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile..." (Exodus 1:22) But before Moses was cast into the Nile he was first placed into an Ark which is the Hebrew word for basket. In the holy of holies the mercy seat was placed upon the ark of Lord.
The Ark of the Covenant contained the two unbroken tablets of stone. There had been two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God but when Moses had seen the sin of the people he had thrown the tablets down and broken them at the foot of the mountain. The unbroken tablets of stone represented the grace of God. In the ark was a golden pot containing an omer of manna. Manna was a memorial of God's provision. The third item in the ark was Aaron's rod that budded showing once and for all that Aaron was God's choice for the priesthood.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son..." (John 3:16) How did God respond to the wickedness of man? Yes, there was judgment but there was also an ark. At the same time the punishment for sin was proclaimed there was also the promise of a savior. The Ark of the Covenant represents Jesus. The unbroken tablets reflect what the Bible says about Him; He "committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth." The manna speaks of Jesus as the bread of life. When Aaron's rod budded something that had died was supernaturally brought back to life this points to Jesus' resurrection. God's response to a sinful world was to provide an ark.
For several nights I have been thinking about this ark and the role it plays in my own worship. God provided the ark and the promise that, "whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." Jesus said that He came to give abundant life but He didn't say it would be an easy life. In fact He said, "In this life you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."(John 16:33)
Lord Jesus, I am so grateful that God provided an ark and a refuge agianst the storms of life . In You I find strength for today and hope for tomorrow.
The Ark of the Covenant contained the two unbroken tablets of stone. There had been two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God but when Moses had seen the sin of the people he had thrown the tablets down and broken them at the foot of the mountain. The unbroken tablets of stone represented the grace of God. In the ark was a golden pot containing an omer of manna. Manna was a memorial of God's provision. The third item in the ark was Aaron's rod that budded showing once and for all that Aaron was God's choice for the priesthood.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son..." (John 3:16) How did God respond to the wickedness of man? Yes, there was judgment but there was also an ark. At the same time the punishment for sin was proclaimed there was also the promise of a savior. The Ark of the Covenant represents Jesus. The unbroken tablets reflect what the Bible says about Him; He "committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth." The manna speaks of Jesus as the bread of life. When Aaron's rod budded something that had died was supernaturally brought back to life this points to Jesus' resurrection. God's response to a sinful world was to provide an ark.
For several nights I have been thinking about this ark and the role it plays in my own worship. God provided the ark and the promise that, "whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." Jesus said that He came to give abundant life but He didn't say it would be an easy life. In fact He said, "In this life you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."(John 16:33)
Lord Jesus, I am so grateful that God provided an ark and a refuge agianst the storms of life . In You I find strength for today and hope for tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
The Darkness could not Overwhelm It
The sun could not perpetrate the thick covering of the Holy of Holies. The flickering glow of the candles was not seen. The light shone in the darkness yet the darkness did not overcome it. The light that overcame the darkness in the Holy of Holies was the Shekanah glory of God.
When Jesus was transfigured on the mountain what did Peter, James and John see? "His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light." (Matthew 17:2) This was the same Shekinanh glory that illuminated the Holy of Holies yet when he came down from the mountain his glory was cloaked by human flesh.
At the foot of the mountain where Peter, James and John had seen Jesus transfigured a desperate father knelt before him begging for mercy for his son. While Jesus had been on the mountain his disciples had tried unsuccessfully to release this man's son from the demons that tried to destroy him. With one eye on Jesus and and the other eye on his son the father poured out his heart. He explained how the evil spirits would often cast his son into fire and into water to destroy him. Then he said "But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."
"The light shines in the darkness yet the darkness has not overcome it...The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. "(John 1:5, 9, 10) Jesus who moments before had shone with Shekinanh glory responded to the question of "if you can" by saying, " If you can! All things are possible for one who believes."
Lord Jesus I confess that I too like the father in this story am sometimes more aware of the power of the darkness than I am of your Shekinanh glory. Thank you for giving me this honest prayer, "Lord, I believe help thou my unbelief." Please let me behold You glory with an unveiled face.
When Jesus was transfigured on the mountain what did Peter, James and John see? "His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light." (Matthew 17:2) This was the same Shekinanh glory that illuminated the Holy of Holies yet when he came down from the mountain his glory was cloaked by human flesh.
At the foot of the mountain where Peter, James and John had seen Jesus transfigured a desperate father knelt before him begging for mercy for his son. While Jesus had been on the mountain his disciples had tried unsuccessfully to release this man's son from the demons that tried to destroy him. With one eye on Jesus and and the other eye on his son the father poured out his heart. He explained how the evil spirits would often cast his son into fire and into water to destroy him. Then he said "But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."
"The light shines in the darkness yet the darkness has not overcome it...The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. "(John 1:5, 9, 10) Jesus who moments before had shone with Shekinanh glory responded to the question of "if you can" by saying, " If you can! All things are possible for one who believes."
Lord Jesus I confess that I too like the father in this story am sometimes more aware of the power of the darkness than I am of your Shekinanh glory. Thank you for giving me this honest prayer, "Lord, I believe help thou my unbelief." Please let me behold You glory with an unveiled face.
Saturday, July 12, 2014
The Man Among the Tombs
He lived among the tombs and no one could bind him though they had tried. They had tried to bind him with chains but but he had wrenched the chains apart. They had bound him with shackles but he had broken the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him yet they had tried. So night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones. He provoked fear, he provoked pity but did anyone really care about the storm that raged within him? Did anyone really care about
the man who was free from chains and shackles yet deeply bound by the tormentors of his soul?
When the evening had come Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go across to the other side." A great windstorm arose. The winds howled the waves were breaking into the boat. All light seemed to be blotted out by the blackness of the storm. These were seasoned fishermen and they knew how deadly this storm was. But Jesus was not participating in their struggle in fact he was in the stern asleep on a cushion.
In their panic they screamed against the wind, "Don't you care that we're perishing? " When he awoke he rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still! " The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith? " The fear they felt in that great calm surpassed the fear they had felt in the storm. They looked at each other and asked, "Who is this that even the wind and the sea obey him." But Jesus was about to show them that he was more than just the Lord of external storms.
The dark of night had come by the time they reached the other side of the sea but what they saw coming toward them would have provoked fear even in the brightest part of the day. Wild eyed, bruised and bloodied by self inflected wounds he came running to them from the direction of the tombs. The demons that had long ago taken possession of his voice screamed, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me." Jesus had come to still the storm that raged within the man who lived among the tombs. He spoke the word and the demons had no choice but to obey the one who was Lord. Great fear came upon the town folk when they saw the demon possessed man sitting quietly at the feet of the one who had cared enough to come and still the storm within him.
Lord Jesus, please forgive me for my lack of faith when I am more aware of the power of the storm than I am Your power and I dare to ask the question, Do you care? Please forgive me when I see those around me who seem to be hopelessly lost and I forget that you cared enough to come and seek and save the lost.
the man who was free from chains and shackles yet deeply bound by the tormentors of his soul?
When the evening had come Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go across to the other side." A great windstorm arose. The winds howled the waves were breaking into the boat. All light seemed to be blotted out by the blackness of the storm. These were seasoned fishermen and they knew how deadly this storm was. But Jesus was not participating in their struggle in fact he was in the stern asleep on a cushion.
In their panic they screamed against the wind, "Don't you care that we're perishing? " When he awoke he rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still! " The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith? " The fear they felt in that great calm surpassed the fear they had felt in the storm. They looked at each other and asked, "Who is this that even the wind and the sea obey him." But Jesus was about to show them that he was more than just the Lord of external storms.
The dark of night had come by the time they reached the other side of the sea but what they saw coming toward them would have provoked fear even in the brightest part of the day. Wild eyed, bruised and bloodied by self inflected wounds he came running to them from the direction of the tombs. The demons that had long ago taken possession of his voice screamed, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me." Jesus had come to still the storm that raged within the man who lived among the tombs. He spoke the word and the demons had no choice but to obey the one who was Lord. Great fear came upon the town folk when they saw the demon possessed man sitting quietly at the feet of the one who had cared enough to come and still the storm within him.
Lord Jesus, please forgive me for my lack of faith when I am more aware of the power of the storm than I am Your power and I dare to ask the question, Do you care? Please forgive me when I see those around me who seem to be hopelessly lost and I forget that you cared enough to come and seek and save the lost.
Monday, July 7, 2014
When the Veil was Torn
There was a divider a separator a veil that shielded a holy God from sinful people. God's eyes are too pure to look on evil and He cannot tolerate sin so the veil created a barrier to make sure man did not carelessly or irreverently enter God's presence. There were figures of cherubim embroidered onto the dividing curtain. These embroidered cherubim were the reminder of the cherubim God had placed east of the garden of Eden. Cherubim who had a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. The cherubim on the veil represented those who stood guarding the Holy of Holies the throne room of God.
In the East men expressed their sorrow by rending their garments. When Jesus hung on the cross and gave up His spirit crying, "It is finished!" the veil was torn from top to bottom. Access was gained into the Holy of Holies. "Shocked at the sin of man, indignant at the murder of its Lord, in it's sympathy with Him who is the true temple of God, the outward symbol tore its holy vestments from top to bottom." Spurgeon
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, his body---let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith." (Hebrew 10:19-22) To understand somethings value you must understand the cost. Jesus gave Himself fully so that we could boldly enter into God's presence, "the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf." (Hebrews 6:19-20)
Jesus removed the veil. The shekinah glory with illumined the Holy of Holies was now accessible not only to the High Priest once a year but to all who by faith would draw near. And when we with unveiled faces behold the glory of the Lord we do not remain the same. We are, "changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Cor. 3:18)
Lord Jesus like a bride looks at her groom may I look upon you with an unveil face.
In the East men expressed their sorrow by rending their garments. When Jesus hung on the cross and gave up His spirit crying, "It is finished!" the veil was torn from top to bottom. Access was gained into the Holy of Holies. "Shocked at the sin of man, indignant at the murder of its Lord, in it's sympathy with Him who is the true temple of God, the outward symbol tore its holy vestments from top to bottom." Spurgeon
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, his body---let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith." (Hebrew 10:19-22) To understand somethings value you must understand the cost. Jesus gave Himself fully so that we could boldly enter into God's presence, "the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf." (Hebrews 6:19-20)
Jesus removed the veil. The shekinah glory with illumined the Holy of Holies was now accessible not only to the High Priest once a year but to all who by faith would draw near. And when we with unveiled faces behold the glory of the Lord we do not remain the same. We are, "changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Cor. 3:18)
Lord Jesus like a bride looks at her groom may I look upon you with an unveil face.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
I have been listening to this song as I study going into the Holy of Holies and I wanted to share it with you.
For Your Name Is Holy - I Enter The Holy of Holie…: http://youtu.be/s4CRvAPzxjI
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
At the Golden Alter
There was a sanctuary in the wilderness. In this holy place you could worship God with all your senses. The light of the lampstand reflected the warm golden glow of the wall and by it's light you could also see the embroidered wings above you. You could taste the bread of the Presence and touch the ornate rim of the table. As you neared the holy of holies the sweet smell of incense filled the air with the faint sound of crackling glowing embers beneath it.
Twice daily the priest would go to the Golden Alter and burn incense. The fire for the alter of incense had to come from the alter of sacrifice. This was a reminder that before attempting to approach God in prayer and worship there had to be repentance. The composition of the four sweet spices used for this incense was to be holy to the LORD, this perfume was only to be experienced in this place of worship.
Our sense of smell comes from our olfactory bulb. It is part of the brain's limbic system and is so closely associated with memory and feeling it's sometimes called the "emotional brain." "Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." (Psalm 141:2) The incense unlocked the emotional brain and the prayers and worship that were presented to a Holy God deeply effected the one who offered them.
The Golden Alter of Incense giving off the odor of sweet perfume in the holy place was a shadow of another alter spoken of in Revelations 8:3,4 "And another angel came and was given much incense to offer with the prayers of the saints on the golden alter before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints rose before God from the hand of the angel." Jesus is our high priest who invites us to draw near to God, since he always lives to make intercession on our behalf.
Father, just as You provided a sanctuary for the children of Israel to worship You in the wilderness I seek sanctuary in my worship of You. The world presses in and I cry out. Let my prayers not simply be words but the deepest plea of my heart and let them be counted as incense before You.
Twice daily the priest would go to the Golden Alter and burn incense. The fire for the alter of incense had to come from the alter of sacrifice. This was a reminder that before attempting to approach God in prayer and worship there had to be repentance. The composition of the four sweet spices used for this incense was to be holy to the LORD, this perfume was only to be experienced in this place of worship.
Our sense of smell comes from our olfactory bulb. It is part of the brain's limbic system and is so closely associated with memory and feeling it's sometimes called the "emotional brain." "Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." (Psalm 141:2) The incense unlocked the emotional brain and the prayers and worship that were presented to a Holy God deeply effected the one who offered them.
The Golden Alter of Incense giving off the odor of sweet perfume in the holy place was a shadow of another alter spoken of in Revelations 8:3,4 "And another angel came and was given much incense to offer with the prayers of the saints on the golden alter before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints rose before God from the hand of the angel." Jesus is our high priest who invites us to draw near to God, since he always lives to make intercession on our behalf.
Father, just as You provided a sanctuary for the children of Israel to worship You in the wilderness I seek sanctuary in my worship of You. The world presses in and I cry out. Let my prayers not simply be words but the deepest plea of my heart and let them be counted as incense before You.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)