09/29/2021
We have accepted Jesus as our savior, and moved with our High Priest beyond the veil of the Holy of Holies sprinkled with His blood, and washed clean by the living water that flows from Him, but do we enter with a true heart? Do we simply find ourselves entering with our eyes open, with an inquisitive human mind, and an intellectual desire to see what awaits us there, or do we enter on our knees, praying, moaning in worship, and consumed by the Holy Spirit as we fearfully come into the presence of God? How do we pray? How do we come before God?
“let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Hebrews 10:22 KJV
The greatest commandment tells us to love God with all of our heart, mind, souls, and strength, but do we carry that same love into our worship? Do we seek out our own salvation with fear and trembling as a mental exercise alone, by leaning heavily on our own understanding and determination, or do we allow love, an emotion, to engulf not only our heart, but our mind, and soul, as well? Do we dedicate all of our strength to loving God? As I read my devotional reading this morning I was struck by these words written by Andrew Murray…
“Of all things, look at this prayer of the heart and consider it an infallible guide to heaven.” - Andrew Murray
I sat there for a moment, mulling over Murray’s words, and then slipped back into prayer… a deep and Spirit led prayer, in which I asked the Lord if I was truly loving Him as He desired me to love Him? Then, as I waited for His response it became clear to me that I was being ushered along the way to Heaven… not because I had determined the right way to go by reason, although I had applied my own reasoning, but by a longing for His presence… led by a deep seated need to love Him more, and the Holy Spirit who allowed me to pray within that ever expanding love… a love which was welling up from my heart, soul, and mind, as it came bursting forth in a prayer of spiritual strength, that was made all the more complete by my loving Him as I should. David begins the 18th Psalm with a very simple yet profound statement. Listen…
“I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.” Psalm 18:1 KJV
Do we begin our prayers, our conversations with God? Do we do so by making a declaration of our love for Him, and affirming His strength? Perhaps we do, but how do we conclude our prayers? Do we do so as David did in Psalm 19?
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14 KJV
Today in our prayers let’s make a point of asking God if we are loving Him as we should. Let’s ask Him if we are being obedient to His greatest commandment… in our love for Him. Then let’s sit in quiet anticipation as we wait for Him to respond. Let’s not attempt to determine the answer for ourselves, but wait patiently on Him. Sometimes in the quiet times we find that our thoughts are pushed aside, and our hearts begin to moan in prayers from within our souls themselves, and we are brought to our knees… approaching God as we should… in humble adoration.
“Shew me thy ways, O LORD; Teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: For thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.”
Psalm 25:4-5 KJV
Prayer:
Father, we thank you for Jesus your Son who has taught us to pray, and for your Holy Spirit who leads us into your presence, and gives us understanding, and insight into your Word. We come before you humbly Father, entering your presence on our knees, and pouring out our prayers in heartfelt love. Accept our prayers Lord as we are guided by the Spirit in their utterance, and they are offered by the angels in golden bowls, rising up from them, mixed with the fragrant smoke of heavenly incense. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who sent your Son to redeem us, to rend the veil between us, and to make our way to you clear as we follow Him, and pray humbly, and lovingly, with the help of your Holy Spirit. Lift us up Father, and see in us the image of Christ as we are standing in judgement before you. Accept us as worthy, and call us your children. Usher us into your House, seat us at your table, and witness our eternal worship forevermore.
Rich Forbes