Thursday, May 15, 2014

Psalm 15 - " Description of a Citizen of Zion"  is the title given to this psalm of David.
" O Lord, who may abide in Thy tent? Who may dwell on Thy holy hill?"    Who can live in the Presence of the Holy One?
Think of Moses on Mount Sinai - ( Exodus 19) The mountain is covered with smoke as the Lord descended in fire.  The whole mountain trembled. The sound was like trumpets, growing louder and louder. Moses was sent to warn the people to not even touch the foot of the mountain.  The people heard thunder and saw lightning flashes.  It was so frightening that they thought they would die and begged Moses to intercede between them and the Lord.
Think of Isaiah's vision ( chapter 6) - He saw the Lord sitting on a throne.  He saw seraphim around the throne calling out "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts..." He saw the foundations tremble and the temple filled with smoke.  He cried out, "Woe is me, for I am ruined."

To be in the presence of Almighty God.. is not something that we can do casually or without preparation. The unrighteous will not see God, we are told in the Word.
We come only because we have been "sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." ( Hebrews 10:10).   Because of His offering we are forgiven and ".. therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus." ( v19)

Because of Jesus,  we can abide in the Lord's tent and dwell on His holy hill.
Because of Jesus we can walk with integrity and work righteousness.
Because of Jesus we can speak truth in our hearts.
He removes slander from our tongues, reproach from our hearts and evil towards others from out actions.
He makes us see the reprobate clearly, so that we will not be deceived.
He enables us to give honor to His holy ones.
He gives us courage to commit to honesty, even if it hurts us.
He shows us how to be just and merciful.
He leads us away from the temptation to make money from harming others.
He makes us immovable and steadfast in our faith.

Because of Jesus we have a "new and living way" to enter the Holy place.  So, "let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for He who promised is faithful. and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together... but encouraging on another..." ( Heb. 10:22-25)

Father in heaven,  You sit on the Throne. Holy, holy,  holy are You!  O the privilege of entering Your presence through Jesus Christ, our great High Priest.  O how marvelous that His offering has made a way for us to be made clean and pure.  We draw near to You, Father, because we have put our faith in Him.  We have hope because of Jesus Christ the Son.  Thank You.  We know that we cannot come on our own merits, but only through the blessed Son.  We come in His Name, by His power, to offer our praise and thanksgiving.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we might continue to walk in Your ways.  Fill us with the knowledge of Your will that we might walk in a manner worthy of You.  With integrity and righteousness, truth and kindness.  May we turn from the vile and honor the holy ones.
May we do justice and love mercy.  May we walk this day with You, humbly trusting in You for all our needs.
Amen.

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