I JUST WANT TO ENTER THE HOLY OF HOLIES

Standing with the congregation around the Outer Court, one could fill the excitement building, it wouldn’t be long now. Today was the Day of Atonement. It was the one day every year when the High Priest would go before the Lord with blood of the sacrifice and the burden of the prior year’s sin would be lifted and pushed ahead until the same time next year. The sacrifice had been made on the Altar, the people had watched as the High Priest carefully washed at the Laver and had entered in the Holy Place. They could hear the tinkling of the bells as the High Priest donned the special garments as specified by Jehovah. Bearing the sacrificial blood, the High Priest stopped in front of the Altar of Incense to pick up the Censer. One more time the High Priest ran through a mental check, had he performed each task according to God’s plan, were any steps overlooked, was the sacrifice unblemished, had he washed properly, were all the garments in place? The awesomeness of the task before him was overwhelming as he stepped behind the Veil bearing the blood and incense into the darkness of the Holy of Holies. Through the cloud of incense, the priest sprinkled the blood on the Mercy Seat. The Holy of Holies was suddenly illuminated as the Glory of God descended to rest on the Mercy Seat. The sacrifice was accepted, God’s mercy had been extended for one more year.

I am always amazed at the detailed description of the Tabernacle, its furniture, the priestly duties and the method of sacrifice given to Moses by God. The High Priest could not forget one step or take a short cut as he approached God on the Day of Atonement, but the anticipation of standing in the Presence of God overshadowed the tedious preciseness of the preparation. The priest could not offer the sacrifice and bypass the Laver, for the sacrifice was not the goal. After washing, he could not return home, for washing at the Laver was not the goal. He couldn’t take a bite of the show bread, light a candle, and meditate at the Altar of Incense because what he needed was behind the Veil in the Holy of Holies. He had to get to the Mercy Seat and witness the Presence and Glory of God; he had to enter the Holy of Holies.

Christianity has so many beliefs and interpretations of how to approach God that we have lost sight of the goal, entering into the Holy of Holies. We debate at the Altar of Sacrifice, should the sacrifice be laid out in this fashion and what exactly must be included, does the sacrifice have to be totally dead and is fire really that important? Without slaying the sacrifice on the Altar there was no blood and the High Priest could not enter the Holy of Holies without blood. Next the Laver blocks our path. Can we just sprinkle a little of the water on our hands to rinse off the blood, why can’t I just perform the ceremony my way, but unless the Priest was thoroughly cleansed according to God’s plan, he would die at the entrance of the Holy of Holies and never experience the Glory of God. Finally, we come to the Holy Place and experience the light of truth, feast upon the Bread of Life and offer our praise as a sweet smelling savor unto the Lord. Why would you want to stop now, the Veil has been torn, the Mercy Seat is within reach, the Glory of God is about to descend, you can step into the Holy of Holies.

If every Christian would let go of personal theologies, their beliefs that some things were only given to the Apostles, the thoughts that once again God is hid behind a veil or that His fullness is only available for a select group of people and long to step into the Holy of Holies, the power and glory of God would once again manifest itself on the Mercy Seat. I am tired of debate, religious exclusivity, and settling for less than all of God. I just want to enter the Holy of Holies.

BUT I DON'T WANT TO BE DIFFERENT!

1 Samuel 8:4-5 “Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, 5And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

1 Samuel 8 relates a time in Israel’s history when they had wandered from God’s plan for their life and decided they just didn’t want to be different anymore. Samuel pleaded for the Israelites before God but God’s longsuffering was close to the end and He said, “If that’s what they want then give it to them! But first, tell them the consequence of such a request.” 

1 Samuel 8:10 “And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king. 11 And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. 12 And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to sow his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. 13 And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. 14 And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your olive yards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. 15 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. 16 And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your donkeys, and put them to his work. 17 He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.

Maybe it was all the royal pageantry, possibly it was the lure of the “good life” that seemed to surround a king or perhaps they were just tired of having the “People of God” target painted on their backs.

1 Samuel 8:19-20 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; 20 That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.

The Children of Israel had forgotten something very important, THEY WERE DIFFERENT FOR A PURPOSE! It began with a covenant, included bloodshed, leading to the fulfillment of God’s plan for their life. God had made a covenant with Abraham and sealed it with circumcision. He promised to make Abraham’s seed a great nation. His plan was that they would follow God as He led them and spoke to them through an anointed servant. God wanted to be their judge, their provider and fight their enemies. The purpose of the Israelites was to trust wholly in God, glorify Him in the eyes of the heathen and be the mouthpiece pointing the way to Jesus Christ. It was all lost because THEY DIDN’T WANT TO BE DIFFERENT!

We are currently in the midst of a hotly contested Presidential Primary. The views range from one extreme to the other.  One of the candidates continues to push the belief that "we are the only civilized nation that does not offer its citizens (you fill in the blank)."  The rallying cry from supporters is "MAKE US LIKE OTHER NATIONS!" The candidates paint a picture of Utopia  until you examine the consequences of its enforcement. It will require heavier taxation on working Americans, allow more government encroachment into our lives, force us into supporting immoral decisions and burden our children and grandchildren with unbelievable debt. But, “NOW WE WILL BE LIKE EVERY OTHER NATION!

Have we forgotten, the United States was not founded to be like every other nation? Our country began with a covenant; The Declaration of Independence and was sealed with the Constitution. Our forefathers shed blood to establish this great nation and our sons and daughters have continued to spill blood to preserve the freedom and rights guaranteed by the Constitution. We were to be a Beacon of Hope to the rest of the world, a nation portraying the idea that a people allowed to live in freedom, dream, work hard and receive rewards earned from their labor would rise to unimaginable heights. We would invent, create and achieve things no other nation had ever accomplished. In doing so we would point the way to freedom and prosperity for oppressed people everywhere. Our ideals are rapidly being consumed because WE DON’T WANT TO BE DIFFERENT!

Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.

Our salvation began with the shed blood of Jesus Christ and has been sealed with the Holy Spirit.  WE ARE DIFFERENT FOR A PURPOSE! God does not intend for His Church to BE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE! We are to be a light to those in darkness pointing the way to salvation through Jesus Christ. It requires a transforming of our mind from a WORLD VIEW to a GOD VIEW. We have to stand firm against evil and sometimes deny ourselves things that seem so desirable.

Many times it may feel like you have a target painted on your back, but before you cry, I DON’T WANT TO BE DIFFERENT, remember you have been redeemed with a great price. If you want to have the favor of God on your life, enjoy His abundant blessing and fulfill His purpose for you, YOU CAN’T BE LIKE EVERY OTHER PERSON, YOU ARE GOD’S CHILD!

SKINNED KNEES BUT STILL RUNNING

The Winter Olympics were held in Vancouver a few weeks ago. I held my breath as snowboarders performed on the half-pipe. I groaned when Lindsey Vonn wiped out on the Giant Slalom and cheered the United States team as they scored to send the gold medal hockey game into overtime. The grace and beauty of Women’s Figure Skating is always a big draw and this year was no exception. I enjoyed watching the skating competition finals and was captured by the sparkling personality of gold-medalist Kim Yu-Na and the story of bronze-medalist Joannie Rochette, who skated despite losing her mother to cancer, the previous Monday. In my opinion, the most inspirational moment is the Medal Awards Ceremony. The top 3 finishers stand on platforms with the gold medal winner in the middle on the highest pedestal, the silver medalist stands on the right hand of the gold medalist and the bronze medal winner stands to the left. In turn, each winner bows his/her head as the medal is placed around their neck, then the gold medalist stands at attention as the national anthem of his/her country is played in their honor. With tear-filled eyes, the winner sings the words to his/her country’s song and then proudly raises a bouquet of flowers to acknowledge the accolades of the crowd.

We are running a race in Life’s Olympics. It isn’t held just every four years but it is a lifelong pursuit. The motivating factor, as it is to the Olympians, is the promise of a prize. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, Paul reminds us, “Know you not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain.” Not only does Paul tell us there is a prize to claim but he instructs us that the prize cannot be obtained if you don’t enter, run and finish the race. There are many young people who watch the Olympics and dream of winning the gold medal but they will never stand on the platform to receive the prize. The reasons may include a lack of talent but for the most part it is a lack of discipline. We watch the “glory” of the Olympic Games and forget about the years of training, pain, failure, tears and frustration that each Olympian brings to the competition. Paul continues in 1 Corinthians 9:25 & 27, “And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things” and “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection.”

Most Christians agree on the prize but have varying opinions when it comes to running the race. For some it is a mental assent and a verbal declaration; I believe in my heart and accept Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. This is a wonderful start but PLEASE DON’T STOP, you haven’t obtained the prize! An Olympic champion is not the person who watches the Olympics and states, “someday I want to win a gold medal!” Others declare that there must be true repentance (sacrificing the old life on the altar) and baptism to wash the old away and become a new creation in Christ. All biblical but PLEASE DON’T STOP, you are just entering the training facility! To win the prize, you have to continue the training as you continue your pursuit. Still others have embraced Peter’s message to the early church. On the Day of Pentecost, when asked, “What must we do to be saved?” Peter declared that Repentance was necessary, each participant must be baptized in the Name of Jesus and go on to receive the Holy Spirit. But PLEASE DON’T STOP, you are at the starting line and the race is about to begin. Remember, Paul says that you have to “run to obtain."

In Life’s Race, unlike the Olympic Games, everyone who finishes the race receives the prize. In my mind I can visualize Heaven’s Award Ceremony. What a day that will be when I stand on the pedestal of Heaven and bow my head as Jesus places, not a gold medal around my neck, but a “Crown of Righteousness” on my head. I’m sure tears of joy will spill over when I hear the angels begin to sing Heaven’s anthem. Then as all of Heaven cheers, I will cast my crown at the feet of my Savior in awe and worship. “I Can Only Imagine!”

I began the race over 43 years ago. It hasn’t been the sprint I imagined but it has turned into a marathon. There have been moments when I thought the grassy expanse might be an easier way then the straight and narrow path. Many times I trip and fall, but with bruised legs and skinned knees, I keep pressing on. Voices from the crowd try to distract me, I grow weary dealing with the “cares of life” and sometimes, it seems I don’t have the strength to take another step, that’s when my training takes over. A still, small voice whispers, “You can make it, I am with you.” I get a “second wind,” the end is in sight and the prize is waiting. Paul sums up life’s race to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

HE'S GOD OF THE MONDAYS TOO!!

I am a Facebook junkie! I love being connected to friends and family, sharing amusing stories and pictures of our kids and grandkids. Most amazing, however, is the insight into each person’s personality and philosophy that I’m given by the multiple updates posted each day. Matthew 12:34 tells us that it is from the abundance of the heart that our mouth speaks. If the Bible had been written in 2010, it might read from the abundance of the heart your Facebook update will read. It has been said on many occasions that according to Facebook Updates, no one has a bad Sunday Service. Everyone is blessed, excited about going to church, is looking for God to do great things in the midst of His people, heard an awesome sermon and was amazed at the presence of God in the service. If you don’t believe me go to your Facebook page and read everyone’s update from Sunday. Now read the updates beginning Monday morning. The excitement has faded or disappeared, the awesome sermon is yesterday’s news, and the fact that you have a job seems more of a curse than a blessing. What happened? Is God only a Sunday God or is He God of the Mondays, too?

In 1 Kings 20, we read the story of Benhadad, King of Syria and Ahab, King of Israel. The King of Syria amassed a large army and sent word to Ahab that he was coming to take his silver, gold, wives and children. Ahab replied, “Oh king I am thine and all that I have.” But that was not enough for Benhadad, his message to Ahab was, “besides your silver, gold, wives and children, I am going to let my soldiers search your house and that of your servants and take anything that pleases them.” This went too far, even for Ahab, so he gathered his army together and went to fight the Syrians. God had promised to deliver the Syrians into the hands of the Israelites and they won a great victory that day. Benhadad was confused. His armies were larger, had better equipment and were led by seasoned commanders; why had they been defeated? I Kings 20:23 And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him, Their gods are gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.

Their new strategy was, “Fight them in the valley.” The god they serve can protect them in the hills but get them in the valley and victory is ours. Rule #1 – NEVER CATAGORIZE GOD!!! Rule #2 – NEVER UNDERESTIMATE GOD!!! The Syrians broke both rules and the consequences were swift and terrible. 1 Kings 20:28 "And there came a man of God, and spoke unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD." The Army of Israel believed what the man of God proclaimed and went into battle. 100,000 Syrian footmen were slain in one day, 27,000 soldiers escaped into the city and God caused a wall to fall on them. God IS God of the Hills AND God of the Valley.

God will NOT be limited, therefore, I proclaim today, that God is the God of my Sunday but He is also the God of my Monday. The same God that blessed me on Sunday will walk beside me on Monday. The same power that thrilled me on Sunday is coursing through my veins on Monday. The awesome sermon I heard on Sunday will be bread for my Monday. I will walk in power and victory EVERY DAY. Let us continue proclaiming the greatness of God on Sunday but don’t categorize and limit God the rest of the week. HE’S GOD OF THE MONDAYS TOO!!!