Entering In..

Part 2 of 2

We've seen absolute Scriptural proof that Jesus specially reveals and manifests Himself to His people. We've seen the difference between the omnipresence of God and the manifest presence of God. Now, I want to observe the many means by which we can partake of this glorious manifest presence.

Friend, we must understand that it is indeed possible to neglect this truth, as is evident by the testimony of the Israelites: "And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die" (Exod 20:18-19). Sadly, this is a far too common occurrence in today's church as well. I'm sure this happens for a lot of reasons. But it may be simply because people don't realize how to enter in?

But as always, the Bible tells us how. I don't believe in "formulas", but I do believe in Biblical patterns and consistencies. Scripture shows us such a pattern concerning the means by which we can be found basking in the glory of God, personally partaking of the wonder of His person!

(1) As we just saw, we must first desire such a manifestation. We see this evident when comparing the life of David and the life of Saul. Saul may have begun as a "good man", but soon was found lacking. David alone prayed, "my soul followeth hard after thee" (Ps 63:8). He alone said, "One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple" (Ps 27:4). Do you desire such a thing? If not, let's check our hearts. Pray that God would birth His desires in you: "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Phil 2:13).

(2) Secondly, we must forsake outright and willing sin. Scripture tells us that "the upright shall dwell in thy presence" (Ps 140:13). The writer to the Hebrews also encourages us toward this truth: "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Heb 12:14).

(3) When we sin, we must continually be repentant. Scripture says, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19). The qualifier is obvious: "Repent ye... when the times of refreshing shall come..." A man who is consciously and willingly sinning (without proper repentance) will never experience all that God has for him. Sin is the enemy of God, and has no place in the life of believers. The only fruit of sin is separation! "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38).

(4) Fourthly, we must participate and partake. Too many people are sitting idly by waiting for something to happen, but that is not the Biblical pattern. Scripture exhorts us to press onward and upward (Phil 3:12). Faith without works is dead and useless! It's not enough to just sit by and watch, rather we should be like Moses - willing to allow God's glory to come and alter our flesh (Exod 34:29-35)! Sadly, there are a people who will possess a testimony that was void of true actions: "Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity" (Lk 13:26-27).

(5) True worship will always beckon the manifest presence of God: "be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph 5:18-20).

(6) The 100th Psalm gives us great insight into this wondrous truth; it actually outlines our trek up the mountain of God:
- "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord"..
- "Serve the Lord with gladness" (also see Rom 12:1-2)..
- "Come before His presence with singing" (also see Ps 2:3)..
- "Know ye that the Lord, He is God, and that He hath made us" (also see Heb 11:6)..
- "We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture". In other words, He must be your shepherd. Is Jesus really your shepherd?
- "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving" (also see Col 3:16-17)..
- "and into his courts with praise" (also see Ps 95:2)..
- "Be thankful unto him, and bless his name" (also see Jas 4:8)..

What wonderful truths that God has given us! How grateful we are that He shows us how to enter into and abide in His glory; we don't ever have to come out - let's stay upon Zion! The choice is ours. Will we stand afar off, fearful of intimate communion? Or will we choose to be exposed before Him, partaking of His glory?