INTO THE PRESENCE OF GOD

The Holy of Holies was the innermost place of the ancient Jewish Tabernacle and Temple, and was its most sacred chamber. It contained the Ark of the Covenant and was separated from the rest of the sanctuary by a thick veil. This area was considered the dwelling place of God, and only the high priest could enter it, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).

The thick veil separating the Holy of Holies from the outer chamber symbolized the huge gulf between a holy God and sinful humanity. Selected priests could go into the Holy Place to perform daily rituals, but only the high priest could into the Holy of Holies (the Most Holy Place).

The veil and elaborate rituals undertaken by the high priest were a reminder that man could not carelessly or irreverently enter God’s holy presence.

At the moment Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and the Forerunner’s spirit entered the Presence behind the veil, having become our High Priest.

The torn veil symbolized that the barrier between God and humanity had been taken away by the death of Christ, and direct access to God is now possible for all humanity through Christ Jesus… not just the high priest once a year. The believer is no longer separated from God.

Under the Levitical priesthood, all the high priests descended from Moses' brother, Aaron. Under the New Covenant, we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people and are no longer separated, but seated together with Christ in the presence of God.

That’s why Jesus told Thomas, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

The ancient rituals of the Holy of Holies was a foreshadowing of the New Covenant that should rise in Christ Jesus, our High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek (as opposed to the order of Aaron). The New Covenant has made the first obsolete, and what has become obsolete is growing old and is ready to vanish away (Heb. 8:13). When we partake of the Lord's Supper (Communion), we are actually celebrating the New Covenant. Jesus said, "This is My blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

The Holy of Holies, the very presence of God, is now open to all who will come to Christ in faith. Where as, before, there was an imposing barrier guarded by cherubim angels, God has opened a way by the shed blood of His Son, Christ Jesus.

One time I told a brother at church, that in his spirit he could go into the presence of the Lord Jesus, and be seated together with Him, and have a conversation about what was troubling him. He adamantly responded, "Oh no!" He couldn't see that we have that privilege. Man… what a pity.

Romans 5:1-2 (NKJV) Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 

James 4:8 (NKJV) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

 Psalm 16:11 (NKJV) You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

 To God be the glory.
Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove †

GO IN THE STRENGTH YOU HAVE

I was praying to Heavenly Father, and requested that He would strengthen me where I'm weak. Sometimes I just feel unqualified. I want to do the will of God for my life but sometimes it seems like I am unfit for the role. 

He sent two preachers to give me the same exact word… "Go in the strength you have." I found the Scripture in my Bible app.

Judges 6:14 (BSB) The LORD turned to him (Gideon) and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel from the hand of Midian. Am I not sending you?”

Gideon was having the same problem I had — he felt unqualified to do what God was calling him to do. But as Gideon moved forward, God was always there with him, to strengthen him for the challenges he faced and he defeated the Midianites and they were no longer a threat to Israel.

The apostle Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

One of those preachers said, that God will sometimes let us be sifted so that we don't take the lion strength in us to be pride in us. We need to recognize our vulnerability, so we can see the strength of God in us doing mighty works.

Peter was tested in this same way. And afterward he wept bitterly at his failure, and saw that he too needed the power of God working through him, not his own heroics. (Story is found in Matt. 26:31-35, 69-75.)

Now go in the strength that you have, and God will be with you.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove †

PSALM 119 - TEACH ME YOUR STATUTES

God’s Word reflects the very character of God Himself. The Word of God is sufficient to make us wise, train us in righteousness, and equip us for every good work.

The author of Psalm 119 was a man who had known great trouble in his life, but also one who had come through it with a deep and passionate understanding of God’s unfailing love and compassion. His love for the Word of God and his dedication to study it, remember it, and live by it is a theme that's repeated over and over throughout the chapter.

There are seven verses throughout Psalm 119 where the psalmist prays to the Lord, "Teach me Your statutes,"

◾Psalm 119:12 (NKJV) Blessed are You, O LORD! Teach me Your statutes.

◾Psalm 119:26 (NKJV) I have declared my ways, and You answered me; teach me Your statutes.

◾Psalm 119:64 (NKJV) The earth, O LORD, is full of Your mercy; teach me Your statutes.

◾Psalm 119:68 (NKJV) You are good, and do good; teach me Your statutes.

◾Psalm 119:124 (NKJV) Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy, and teach me Your statutes.

◾Psalm 119:135 (NKJV) Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes.

◾Psalm 119:171 (NKJV) My lips shall utter praise, for You teach me Your statutes.

Asking Heavenly Father to “teach me Your statutes” is an ongoing surrender that invites His authoritative Word to shape our convictions, guide our choices, and conform our character to Christ's. The psalmist’s ancient plea becomes a modern day lifestyle… continually meditating upon Scripture, studying Scripture, and walking in obedient faith to what we understand in Scripture.

◾Psalm 119:34 (NKJV) Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

◾Psalm 119:73 (NKJV) Your hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.

◾Psalm 119:125 (NKJV) I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies.

◾Psalm 119:144 (NKJV) The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; give me understanding, and I shall live.

◾Psalm 119:169 (NKJV) Let my cry come before You, O LORD; give me understanding according to Your word.

And finally, the psalmist prays that the word of God will revive and transform him so he is changed into a new vessel.

◾Psalm 119:25 (NKJV) My soul clings to the dust; revive me according to Your word.

◾Psalm 119:37 (NKJV) Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.

◾Psalm 119:40 (NKJV) Behold, I long for Your precepts; revive me in Your righteousness.

◾Psalm 119:88 (NKJV) Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, so that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.

◾Psalm 119:149 (NKJV) Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness; O LORD, revive me according to Your justice.

◾Psalm 119:154 (NKJV) Plead my cause and redeem me; revive me according to Your word.

◾Psalm 119:159 (NKJV) Consider how I love Your precepts; revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove †

WHAT THE LORD REQUIRES OF US

A long time ago, I asked the Lord… "Lord, what is it that You require of me?" Weeks passed without a response, and I had totally forgotten about it. Then one day I opened an email and there was His response…

He has shown you, O man (or Dee), what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8 NKJV)

To Do Justly (Action)

• be both moral and ethical in our dealings with others
• put justice into practice
• defend those who are suffering in unjust circumstances and situations

To Love Mercy (Affection)

• cut people some slack and extend them some mercy
• be Christ’s hand extended to someone in need

To Walk Humbly With God (Attitude)

• let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit
• to not always make it about you
• live life in humility, not proudly

What does the Lord require of us?

There is a positive action to take: do justly.

There is a powerful affection to awaken: love mercy.

And there is a prideful attitude to forsake: walk humbly with our God.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove †