Have you ever stopped to check your countenance before stepping out of the house, attend a board meeting, or just visit a friend? What about our attitudes, negative emotions before entering the presence of God? Are the traumas of life evident through our facial expressions, and the words we speak? Do these negative emotional objectives hinder our reaching God in time of need?
After working diligently on revisions for my book, I decided to take a friend up on her offer to visit her church one Sunday. As we entered in, you could feel God's presence. It was as though I'd walked from the outer court into the Holy of holies. You could see the glory cloud hovering over. Many wept before Him while others so graciously danced. Nearly everyone in some fashion bowed and honored the King of Glory.
We must have worshipped for what seemed to be hours before the Pastoral Assistant a firm, tall gentleman with a fixed face made way to the podium. His disturbing countenance could be seen afar off. The frown of displeasure adorned it as though he'd been forced to comply with his task. When he opened his mouth to speak, an angered brash sound expelled from within.
Being in ministry can be difficult and stressful. You're no different from those who serve in the medical field; it's an "On-call" job at all times. More often than not when we enter the pulpit, we've just put out a fire somewhere behind the curtain. But, I've learned that's "par for the course." It all comes along with serving. Nevertheless, the seemingly annoyed man hurriedly gave his welcome speech afterwards taking his seat leaving us all bewildered of his questionable behavior.
As he sat down, all of a sudden silence filled the sanctuary. Yet, his countenance never changed, and appeared void from any remorse. Although his Pastor attempted to get his attention, he made no eye contact with anyone. The pulpit staff confusingly began to look around as though in wait of what to do next. It was evident the man had not finished his assignment.
My friend embarrassed, lean over and whispered, "I don't know what's wrong." Squeezing her hand in reassurance, I began to pray. "How could he have possibly been in the presence of God and came out filled with such turmoil?" I wondered. Relating back to the children of Israel in my thoughts, they weren't granted the freedom to enter into the holy place themselves. The Priests went in for them, and even they had to remain faultless or they'd died. Grieved, I continued on in thought of how he'd seemed to have rejected such a blessing he'd been given through God sacrificing His Son, Jesus Christ.
Worship is where God begins to setup His "Check Points." There we're given opportunity to surrender our will allowing the Holy Spirit to purge our imaginations from all impurities. It's a divine provision which prepares us to be enabled to come into the presence of God holy, and acceptable, undefiled. Only until after this is done, can we stand before Him in humility, meekness, and brokenness. Otherwise, we're nothing more than stained, tarnished, bitter pots of clay.
Exhausted, leaving work one night I decided to take a back road home. What I didn't know was that law enforcement had created random "Check Points." Sitting there in traffic, I couldn't help but notice they'd set them up so many perimeters apart. Nonetheless, in order to obtain access to continue on to your dwelling place you had to pass through all three. For those who don't go beyond the first two, they're detained by law officers and never allowed to enter the third.
That's what happens in worship when we attempt to enter His presence illegally, we're detained, kept from reaching the place of solitude and peace. Perhaps, the Assistant Pastor no longer honored or respected his leader, so he thought not twice of checking his behavior. Just as he considered not the way he came before his earthly spiritual father, he thought nothing of coming before God the same way.
Many fail to pass the "Check Points." Some, depending on the severity of their charges, will proceed no further than the first. All who are detained find themselves facing some type of penalty for attempting to enter in illegally. Most often it results in them being put away from their community. Just as Miriam, Moses sister who after dishonoring God's servant was put away from the camp and stricken with leprosy. The charges against her were jealousy and envy for her brother Moses. The ultimate punishment, God withdrew His presence. There, outside of the camp poor Miriam remained for seven days isolated deemed unclean, a leper who could not serve God nor remain in her community (Numbers 12).
King David cried out after he'd sinned with Bathsheba, "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness...Create in me a clean heart...Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me." (Ps. 51 NKJV) He knew it was in God's presence he'd greatly sinned, so in true humility he cried out for mercy. David's heart stood in need of radical surgery, not cosmetics.
The spirit of forgiveness, love, and humility is what separated Moses from his siblings. It granted him access to a unique place in the sight of God. In the function of mediator, he kept himself clean from impurities. Unlike the Assistant Pastor mentioned in this article, Moses accomplished passing through the check points, by having a holy heart. Each time he met with God-His presence remained on Moses. Our outward worship pleases God when it expresses the inward spiritual condition of a broken spirit and a contrite heart. Absence of these accomplishes nothing.
Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things, Check Point!" Then He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me, Check Point!" And unto the true worshippers, a new covenant way of worship through Christ Jesus was established. "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth, Check Point!"
Thanks for your comment. We, as humans, do miss it sometimes. But, I agree with you we do need to keep in mind that our impolite attitudes can offend others.
I remember a teaching some time ago about the face we wash in the mornings. It made we realize that the frown, or anger expressed was not only being seen by people, but also God who represents love. It was then I realized what an awful display of His love I'd become, so, I had to CHECK myself.
Thank you for your comment. Yes, we do as adults make our own way, but it's so good when you can have someone to help you along the way. "Check Points" are good to have on that long road of life. They help us to remember the fragrance of roses, beauty of fall, and youthful laughter.
Thank you for your comment. I had an opportunity to visit your blogspot today and I could truly hear your sincere love for Christ. There's such a compassion for God's people put into action through your writings. Will remember your ministry, you, and your wife in my prayers.
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