Privilege and Honor

Everyday God and I have conversations. Whether it is 'formally' during my Quiet Time in the mornings or throughout the day, there is always some kind of conversation occurring. I actually don't really think that much about it. Recently something changed my perspective. The other day I heard a sermon that shifted my thinking on that quite a bit.

In the sermon he talked about how Adam and Eve walked in the garden with God. I always thought that sounded so wonderful! When sin entered into the world that was no longer possible. That is when all the requirements came about. God still wanted access to us, but because He is a holy God and we were now sinners, we were no longer able to walk with Him, talk with Him, or be with Him. He is holy; therefore, we are not worthy or even able to be in His presence. In the sermon he reviewed what was required for anyone to come into God's presence. There had to be an animal sacrifice. In fact there were a lot of sacrifices and cleansing, etc. After all of that, only one person was allowed to go into the Holy of Holies and be with God and experience His presence. And that could only happen once a year!

Then Jesus came and became our sacrifice, which allows us to come directly into God's presence.  Jesus restored the ability for us to have relationship with God, to walk in the garden so to speak. What an incredible honor and privilege this is. The truth is that we have heard this so often throughout our lives. Often when we hear that or read it, it becomes mundane. Kind of like, "Blah, blah, blah. I know.  I know that already." It is as if I was struck by lightening. Really? We can actually come into the very presence of Holy God, have actual conversation with Him, and hear His voice! This Holy, magnificent and all powerful God?  The One who created heavens and stars and the sun and the moon. Who made flowers grow in the summer and trees to rest in the winter. Just sit and try to take it all in. We get to be in His presence!!

I think that we perhaps have become too familiar with our Holy and awesome God.  We have all had times when we rant and rave and shake our fists at Him, question Him, and even boss Him around and tell Him what He should and shouldn't do. How dare us! How dare us be so familiar with this almighty and Holy God, that we would take for granted the privilege to come to Him and then treat Him as we do. As I have been thinking about this I want to be more respectful of this honor. I most definitely want to be more grateful. What a privilege. What a gift. We get to have relationship and the undivided attention of the most Holy God any time that our heart desires. I want to come into his presence each time with a heart of gratitude and awe. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, God for loving us that much.