DRAWING NEAR
July 6
Access to God
"You . . . are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God
through Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 2:5).
Christ's death provided access to the Father for all believers.
Throughout history, false gods have been portrayed as remote,
indifferent, and apathetic to human needs and generally
unapproachable by the common masses. Out of fear, a man might attempt
to appease his idols but he has no desire or capacity to draw near to
them.
Even those in Old Testament times who worshiped the true God had
limited access to Him. The average Jewish person could commune with
God through prayer, but was forbidden to approach Him physically.
Only the high priest was allowed to enter into God's presence in the
Holy of Holies--but only once a year on the Day of Atonement. Even
then he had to go through a ceremonial washing and offer a sacrifice
for his own sin. If he failed to prepare himself properly, he could
forfeit his life.
Anyone daring to usurp the office of a priest was also in danger of
severe punishment by God: King Azariah (also called Uzziah) was
afflicted with leprosy, King Saul's lineage was cursed, and Korah and
his rebellious followers were destroyed when the ground opened and
swallowed them.
However, we as Christians enjoy unlimited access to the Father
through Jesus Christ. Hebrews 10:19-22 says, "Since therefore,
brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of
Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through
the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over
the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full
assurance of faith."
As a member of God's royal priesthood, you can approach Him with
confidence, knowing He loves and welcomes you into His presence just
as He welcomes His own Son. Take full advantage of that access by
communing with Him in prayer and offering each day as a spiritual
sacrifice to Him.
Suggestions for Prayer:
Praise Jesus for shedding His precious blood so you can have access
to the Father. Praise the Father for being a personal and
approachable God.
For Further Study:
Read Exodus 19.
What did God tell Moses? What were the people to prepare themselves
for? Was God approachable to the people?
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
Exodus 19
19:1 In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of
the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the Wilderness of
Sinai.
2 For they had departed from Rephidim, had come to the Wilderness of
Sinai, and camped in the wilderness. So Israel camped there before
the mountain.
3 And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the
mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell
the children of Israel:
4 'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on
eagles' wings and brought you to Myself.
5 'Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My
covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all
people; for all the earth is Mine.
6 'And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.'
These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel."
7 So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid
before them all these words which the LORD commanded him.
8 Then all the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD
has spoken we will do." So Moses brought back the words of the people
to the LORD.
9 And the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I come to you in the thick
cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe
you forever." So Moses told the words of the people to the LORD.
10 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate
them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes.
11 "And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day
the LORD will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the
people.
12 "You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, 'Take
heed to yourselves that you do not go up to the mountain or touch its
base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.
13 'Not a hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or
shot with an arrow; whether man or beast, he shall not live.' When
the trumpet sounds long, they shall come near the mountain."
14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and sanctified
the people, and they washed their clothes.
15 And he said to the people, "Be ready for the third day; do not
come near your wives."
16 Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there
were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain;
and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people
who were in the camp trembled.
17 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God,
and they stood at the foot of the mountain.
18 Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the LORD
descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a
furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.
19 And when the blast of the trumpet sounded long and became louder
and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice.
20 Then the LORD came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the
mountain. And the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and
Moses went up.
21 And the LORD said to Moses, "Go down and warn the people, lest
they break through to gaze at the LORD, and many of them perish.
22 "Also let the priests who come near the LORD consecrate
themselves, lest the LORD break out against them."
23 But Moses said to the LORD, "The people cannot come up to Mount
Sinai; for You warned us, saying, 'Set bounds around the mountain and
consecrate it.'"
24 Then the LORD said to him, "Away! Get down and then come up, you
and Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people break
through to come up to the LORD, lest He break out against them."
25 So Moses went down to the people and spoke to them.
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Grace_to_You/
and
http://www.gty.org.uk/
You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
letters@gty.org
NOTE for those of you reading via newsgroups: If you wish to reach
me, please contact me via e-mail for quickest results.
In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase@wowway.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
http://www.gty.org/Gospel
http://www.gty.org/
http://www.nwbible.org/
There is a living God. He has spoken in His word. He means just what he says, and will do all that He has promised. - Hudson Taylor
.
|
