December 10, 2003
Reading
“Let us draw near
with a true heart” (22)
We are privileged
to have access to many writings of that group of men we call church fathers,
whose faith in and love for Jesus Christ frequently led them to the stake or to
the Coliseum where they were fed to the lions. One such person was Augustine
who lived in
Our scripture reading in Hebrews invites those who know the Lord to draw near to God with a true heart. Mankind has a deep desire to find God and to know Him. This is true of the millions who seek God through the many religions throughout the world. The difference, however, between Christianity and all those other religions is that, while they seek God, our God came to seek and to save those who are lost—Luke 19:10. Now, having been found by Him, we are exhorted to live in His presence. During the time before Jesus came, God’s presence resided in the Holy of Holies between the cherubim, over the mercy seat. Once a year the High Priest was permitted to enter this place for the sins of himself and the people. To enter the presence of the Lord, he had to pass through a veil that separated God’s presence from the people. That veil was torn apart when Jesus was crucified, making it possible for God’s people to enter into His presence. Tragically, many Christians live their entire life without drawing near to God. They believe all they have to do is accept Jesus and that is the climax and fulfillment of Christianity. Others approach the throne of God periodically, and that is only to ask Him for things. In His presence is where God wants us to live continuously, not periodically.
There is nowhere else that we can know the “rest” of which Augustine spoke, than in God’s presence. Where else can we “Be still, and know that I am God?” Psalm 46:10. This is the place of fellowship with God. This is the place of abiding in Christ, where victory over sin is accomplished—1 John 1:6-10. It is in His presence that we need to make decisions about every day life. We cannot worship and praise Him from afar—we need to join the angels who worship God while gathered around His throne—Isaiah 6:1-3.
Frederick Faber, that great lover of God, wrote:
Only to sit and think of God,
Oh what a joy it is!
To think the thought, to breathe the Name;
Earth has no higher bliss.
Father of Jesus, love’s reward!
What rapture it will be,
Prostrate before Thy throne to lie,
And gaze and gaze on Thee!
Heavenly Father, help
me to fearlessly and unashamedly approach Your throne,
and there enjoy Your presence. Grant me the desire of my heart—to reside in Your presence, to abide in my Savior, and enjoy the fullness
of Your Spirit, both now and for ever.