Day 2: Drawing Near to a Holy God
Bible passage: Psalm 24:3–6; Psalm 32:1–5; Hebrews 4:14–16
Is It Safe to Come Close?
Today is Thursday 2nd of January 2020. Welcome to Day 2 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Yesterday we asked God for a clean heart. Today we ask how people like us can come near to Him at all.
David asks the question for us. “Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?” Psalm 24:3 (NLT)
His answer is uncomfortable. Only those whose hands and hearts are pure (Psalm 24:4).
The Problem and the Answer
We Know Ourselves
If we are honest, that answer rules us out. We know what we are like. We know the thoughts we have had this week and the words we wish we could take back. It is natural to feel that God could not possibly want us close.
God knows about that struggle, and He has answered it in two ways.
Confidence in What Jesus Has Done
First, we do not come on the strength of our own record. Hebrews tells us that we have a great High Priest, Jesus the Son of God, who understands our weaknesses. Because of Him we can come boldly to the throne of our gracious God, and there we will find mercy and grace (Hebrews 4:14–16).
Jesus is the One with clean hands and a pure heart. He climbed the hill for us, and He brings us in with Him.
Confidence in His Love
Second, we come because He loves us, and He loves us knowing everything. If somebody says they love you but does not know your failures, you can never be quite sure of them. To be fully known and still loved is another thing altogether. That is how God loves us. He has seen all of it, and He loves us still.
What Happens When We Stop Hiding
Psalm 32 describes both sides. When David kept quiet about his sin, he wasted away and groaned all day long (Psalm 32:3). When at last he confessed and stopped trying to hide his guilt, God forgave him, and all his guilt was gone (Psalm 32:5).
We draw near by uncovering what we would sooner keep covered. The part of our life that we think will put God off is exactly the part He is asking us to bring.
Coming Close Today
Three Steps for Today
Come as you are. Do not wait until you feel worthy. Come now, because of Jesus.
Uncover it. Tell God about the thing you least want to mention. He knows already, and He is ready to forgive.
Receive. David says that those whose sin is forgiven are truly happy (Psalm 32:1). Thank God out loud that this is true of you.
Prayer for Today:
Heavenly Father, show me anything in my life that is keeping me at a distance from You. Help me to see my sin as You see it, and to stop hiding it. Thank You that I can come close because of Jesus, and that You love me knowing everything about me. It is Your kindness that leads me to turn round. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Keep going
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