one of those moments I need comfort and strength
and ….
He came ….
in my humble little study room ….
a soothe on my wearied soul
a lift to my almost defeated spirit …
Thank You.
November 6, 2008
October 8, 2008
The Tabernacle
The Tabernacle is always one I hold supreme regards over.
The significance of it in my life and the various ways I can relate with the depths of its teachings still sit solidly in my walk with Him.
The physical layout of the Tabernacle consists of the courtyard, the holy place and the Holy of Holies.
A lay person also has a body, a soul and a spirit.
The Psalmist sang,
“I will enter His gate with thanksgiving in my heart.
I will enter His court with praise.”
We come into the presence of God firstly by walking through His gate and into His court. Our attitudes is important. What form of thanksgiving and praise are we bringing into the court is also important. The outer body or the flesh is resistant in submitting to God. Many people enter the santuary with stony hearts and stiff bodies. There is significance in the looking upwards towards heaven and especially the raising of one’s hands in surrender.
When my heart is very heavy, it takes extra extra effort to raise my hands and open my mouth to praise. At times, I can’t even pass through this body realm.
Let the song ring again….
“Come to His courts
With praise on my lips
My heart and my mind and my soul
Worship Him
Bow on my knees
Lift up my hands
Joining the angels above
Crying Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come”
I had the opportunity to attend Superkids Camp more than a decade ago. It was there which I learnt and experienced that the body realm, when broken (meaning when we are not prohibiting ourselves and not conscious of the surroundings, like wondering whether others are watching the way we worship. For all you know, no one is bothered to bother to notice. Each has our load to carry and unload.), leads us into the presence of God rather easily.
It always marvel me that King David could dance clamourously in a foolish fashion before the Lord. There must have been such liberation in his heart then.
It is interesting to note that in the courtyard, the first object one will see in the tabernacle upon entering is the brazen altar (for the sacrifice) and followed by the laver (basin for washing), which is in front of the holy place. At the courtyard, cleansing is needed, for the person and his mind. Do not reject cleansing as it is the first step into personal encounter with God. Seek to be washed anew.
Entering the holy place brings about much emotions. In this place, this is where one’s soul is ministered. Tears may flow. One must just stand in awe. In this place, there is breaking down of pride and self. In this place, there is renewal. In this place, there is reconciliation. In this place, restoration takes place. There will be times you may be standing next to a worshipper who is crying silently. That person is receiving a personal touch from the Lord. I miss those times myself. A lot of times, I am just too bogged-down and burdened. I must come closer, not just stand in the courtyard. I must learn once again to give Him my yoke.
Entering the Holy of holies is only possible because of what Christ has done for us. The veil is torn the moment He gave up His spirit at the cross and uttered “It is finished.” It is Him that makes it possible for us to stand before God. When one gets to stand in this place, I believe what comes to your mind most distinctly is that God is awesome and God is holy. It makes you go away, anew and wants things to be done rightly again. Something is deposited into your spirit.
Knowing Him is not just obeying a list of dos and don’ts. Knowing Him enables us to do right and understands why we do what we do. Not out of fear or obedience to all the “thou shall nots”, just that as you know Him more, you won’t want to do what you know is not right in His sight, even when no one is looking (which is the ultimate test) or even when the world thinks that it is ok.
This walk is a lifetime walk. It is not easy. It is a narrow path. However it is one which will lead you to the gate. And by the way, there is only one gate into the tabernacle.
The next time I come before His tabernacle, I will walk through till I come face to face with Him. He is always there, waiting. The ball is on my side to draw near.
Amen.
