Into the Holy Place. Leviticus 16:2. Fear still rests on the people, and rightly so. It should remain so that those who serve before the Lord learn what is right and listen to what God says. The lessons we've learned before have shown us that God has a way for us to enter His holy place, the right to seek acceptance there. It’s not our right, but because of the life of the Lamb that was given in our place. The proof is in the blood, and now we can go behind the veil. The priest of old, with the blood, demonstrated that a sinless substitute had been taken and died. That is a picture of a truth that fills my soul with joy – the Lamb’s blood still works for me.
With hesitant trust, the father-priest moves slowly with a blood-filled bowl in hand. His unfaithful sons had died for acting on their own, but a Holy God was not ignored, and judgment fell on them. Reaching out carefully, Aaron ensures he does it correctly, sprinkles the blood, and, with trembling fingers, makes sure the blood is placed where God commanded, seven times in carefully chosen spots by God.
Today, it is different, as we, not with fear and trembling but with gladness of heart and holy boldness, are able to approach the Most Holy Place, and there before the throne of God is evidence placed by the hand of Him who paid redemption’s price in full. With bowed hearts, heads bowed too, and hands full of worship because of the Savior’s blood, we come into the presence of the Holy God. My voice, heart, soul, and spirit rejoice in the presence of God Most Holy. I can come accepted in the Person of Him who pleased the Father and who has fulfilled the legal claims against me. With cleansed hearts, hands, and words inside, we join with others to proclaim to God the virtues of His Son – the only One who could still justice’s voice.
It is not in symbols from distant pastures that I find myself, but in a real place where I carefully place a Sacrifice offered for me. I do so with reverence and mindful movements of thought and words before the majestic expressions of divine initiation that come from the Holy Spirit—offered to the Almighty. When it’s time to turn and pass through the veil torn from top to bottom, my soul, warmed by heavenly fire and illuminated with Shekinah light, glows from within in praise and adoration. Songs of Zion and prayers of gratitude rise to Him. My steps are light with acceptance; each confident step follows the next—ready to serve again.
What a fellowship, O God of glory; to worship inside the veil and not shake with fear, but to enjoy full acceptance. My adoption is so precious – yet it sometimes seems more like gold than others. The supper, the emblems, the hymns, the prayers, the praise, and the worship touch this soul of mine. I hear the simple words of truth learned anew by new converts – and I worship Thee. I hear the voices of the ancients, and all in between, expressed in words and sweet hymns of adoration, thoughts of the Lord Jesus Christ – and I worship Thee. I watch the faces of women and men who love the Lord wholeheartedly, and I do not wonder – but rejoice – at what the grace of God has done. I worship Thee. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.