What A Difference

There are people that I have looked up to over the years.  It is humbling when I get to meet them.  At times I have been nearly speechless in their presence.  I know that none of you have that problem.  Listening is normally a problem for me.  Once in a while I struggle with what to say.

I was reading and came across this verse in Numbers 17:13, “Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the LORD shall die: shall we be consumed with dying?”  These words were spoken by the children of Israel.  It caught my attention that they were not to approach the tabernacle of the LORD.  It was like there was a sign on it like on the back of a fire truck saying, “Keep Back 500 Feet”.

Thankfully that was the Old Testament economy.  Now it is the opposite for we who know Christ as Saviour.  We have access.  We are told to come boldly.  This means we can come confidently.  Look at Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”  After reading this don’t you get great comfort from this?  In the Old Testament God’s people were to stay away.  In the New Testament He is inviting you and I who know Him as Saviour to come right on in with confidence.

In a day that everything seems so dark, and life seems to beat down upon you there is a place that we can go and safely commune with the Creator of the world.  The best part is that He wants us to come and spend time with Him.  That makes you very special.  Even more special than any valentine.

So, how are you doing?

Come Up 3

Exodus 24:1-2, “And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off.  And Moses alone shall come near the LORD: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him.”

I was thinking about our thought of “Come Up”.  I began to wonder about some things.  One thing I thought about is that the children of Israel were not invited to approach.  I wondered why.  Maybe it was God’s infinite foreknowledge.  He knew that they would soon sin against Him.  Maybe it was the He knew their hearts so He just kept them at arm’s length so to speak.

The children of Israel could have kept themselves clean and ready to approach; but, for some reason that God knows they were not invited. I wish I knew the reason.  God does not share that with us.  So, we must look at their example and just simply try to learn from their failures and short comings.

Even better than that we now have an Advocate in Jesus Christ.  When He died on the cross He made it possible for us to have constant access.  The only limitation is our sinfulness.  If we are in a right relationship with our Father then we can come into His presence with confidence.  Praise His name!

So, how are you doing?