MEDITATIONS FROM THE PSALMS

 

May 18, 2005

Reading: Psalm 100

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving” Ps 100:4

Take note, privileged soul of mine, of the change in God’s order since your Redeemer gave His life for you. Throughout the history of God’s dealings with His people, the way into His presence was blocked: Cherubim with flaming swords prohibited Adam from returning to the Garden of Eden where he once freely enjoyed the companionship of Almighty God; The Temple had gates to protect it from misuse and vandalism, and the Holy of Holies wherein God chose to dwell here on earth was guarded by a twelve inch thick veil. But compare that, my soul, with the glorious invitation of God to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Why the change? As the scriptures clearly declare, Jesus took your sin upon Himself and bore the judgment of God for you. At His death on the cross the Temple veil split in two from top to bottom. For those who know and love Him this is one of the greatest events in history. Imagine, no more Cherubim to bar the way into His presence, no more gates, and no more veil—instead, an invitation. Alas, this invitation is only for those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and have been born again by the Holy Spirit. For all others the way into God’s presence remains blocked. To one, Jesus is the Gate, the Veil, standing forever to block the way to God; for others He is the Way through whom you have access to the Father.

“Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,’ and ‘A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense’” 1 Peter 2:7-8

“Blessed is the man You choose, and cause to approach You, that he may dwell in Your courts” Ps 65:4

Dear Jesus, indeed I enter your presence with praise on my lips and thanks in my heart for making it possible to come freely and boldly into the courts of Almighty God. Truly, this is an amazing accomplishment that only you could achieve. Help me to never take this privilege for granted, and to always remember what it cost you to achieve it. If my soul truly understood the depth of your love and grace that brought about this magnificent event, I would surely dwell in your courts forever.

“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” Heb 10:19-22.