Other articles in series:

• Spending Time in God’s Presence
• Spending Time in God’s Presence: Singing

______________________________________________________________

Recap of Previous Articles

We are following the journey of God’s people in the Old Testament into the temple and the Most Holy Place.  The Most Holy Place was the innermost part of the temple.  Once a year the high priest would enter into this innermost place to meet with God.

This journey is a model of the steps we are able to follow entering into God’s presence.  Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, we have access to God.  The journey begins with singing.

Thanksgiving

As we sing and after singing, the next step in this model is to give thanks.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving.

– Psalm 100:4

The gates were the entry point point into the temple or tablernacle.  Entering was to be accompanied with thanksgiving.

Continue Reading…

Other article in series:

• Spending Time in God’s Presence

______________________________________________________________________

SINGING

This article is the 2nd in a series titled Spending Time in God’s Presence.  The general theme is that with the death of Jesus on the cross, we (God’s people) have access to the presence of God.  We are following the Old Testament model of the tabernacle and temple as our guide.  In that system the high priest would enter into the presence of God on behalf of God’s people one day a year.

When Jesus was crucified, the curtain which limited the access to the Most Holy Place of God’s presence was torn in two.  This made it possible for all men and women to enter into God’s presence without restrictions of dates and times. We can recreate that Old Testament journey into the temple and into God’s presence.

The first leg of that journey is that of singing.

Serve the LORD with gladness!

Come into his presence with singing!

– Psalm 100:2

Gladness & Joy

When God’s people began entering into the tabernacle or temple, they did so with song.  In the verse above, a correlation exists between the two statements and a correlation between gladness and singing. As we come to the Lord, our singing should be marked with gladness.  Another verse in the Psalms expresses a similar idea.

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;

let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

– Psalm 95:2

Coming into God’s presence is again linked with singing.  As gladness was linked with singing previously, so here joy is linked.  Later in the series we will discuss the roles of thanksgiving and praise which are both mentioned in Psalm 95.

So our singing should be marked with gladness and joy as we enter God’s presence.  A place does exist for songs that are laments or express a more downcast spirit.  But on entering God’s presence, we should be focused on giving thanks to God for what he has done and praising him for who he is.  If this is the case, we can find joy and gladness.  Even in the darkest of times, God is still mighty and active.

Continue Reading…

Today, May 7th, is the 58th annual National Day of Prayer.  Please join with others across our nation in praying especially for our nation today.  Pray that God would grant wisdom to our leaders. Below are 3 videos that are about 1 minute each in length. The first is a general theme video. The second is about Tony Dungy, former Super Bowl winning coach for the Indianapolis Colts. The third video is about Daryl Waltrip, former NASCAR driver.

• Spending Time in God’s Presence

A few weeks ago, I was out of town while Suzie remained at home in West Palm Beach.  I was only away for one night and we did speak on the phone several times.  However, it was nice to come back home and be able to not only talk to her and hear her, but to be able to see her and touch her.

I do enjoy spending time with my wife.  I enjoy spending time with other members of my family.  It is a big deal when I am able to spend time with family members that live in other states.  I enjoy spending time with my friends.  I also enjoy spending time with God.

But spending time with God seems to be more of a challenge.  We don’t see him nor can we touch him.  However, for those who are in relationship with him through Christ, we are invited into his presence.  This is such an awe-inspiring concept.

In the Old Testament the tabernacle and then the temple were symbols of God’s presence.  The design of these facilities limited access to the presence of God.  A separate courtyard existed for Gentiles and another for women.  Only Jewish men could advance.  Then only priests of the tribe of Levi could advance farther.

For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence.  It is called the Holy Place.

– Hebrews 9:2

This Holy Place was where the priests would go regularly to perform their ritual duties.  A second place existed, but with even more restrictions.

Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.  Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat.”

– Hebrews 9:3-5

This second place, the Most Holy Place, was restricted so that only the high priest could enter.  He was only allowed to enter one day a year.  This place was were the high priest would be in the presence of God on behalf of the people.

What an amazing day that must have been for the high priest — the enter into the presence of God.  What is even more amazing is that because of the death of Jesus all who are in relationship with God are now granted access to that Most Holy Place.  It is no longer a physical structure with curtains and furniture.  When Jesus died on the cross, the separating veil leading to the Most Holy Place was torn in two.  Thus opening the way for entrance.  In fact, the author Hebrews exhorts Christians to enter themselves into the Most Holy Place — or into the presence of God.

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

– Hebrews 10:19-22

So we have the opportunity and the privilege to enter into the presence of God.  In the next few days, I will use the tabernacle/temple structure as a guide to our journey into the Most Holy Place.

Here are a few steps of the journey which we will cover:

1. Singing
2. Thanksgiving
3. Praising
4. Confessing and Repenting
5. Sacrificial Presentation
6. Asking
7. Interceding
8. Reading the Bible

I hope you will join me in this journey into the Most Holy Place.  For here, we will meet with God.

↑ Grab this Headline Animator