Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

Let us go right into the Presence of God

Hebrews 10v19-22  “And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus … Let us go right into the presence of God.’” (NLT)

Last Sunday we looked at Jesus’s call for us, the church, to return to our “first love,” and for us not to be tepid and lukewarm, but to be full of passion for God. This coming Sunday, we return to our mini-series looking at the key characters in Genesis. The lives of these characters are summarized in Hebrews 11 in terms of their faith in God. The writer lists these people as “witnesses” to the faithfulness of God. He is saying in effect “Look at Noah, Abraham etc. See how they lived by faith in God and God ultimately proved faithful. On the basis of their testimony, enter right into God’s presence. Now.”

While the NIV translation has “Let us draw near to God”, the more paraphrased NLT has, “Let us go right into the presence of God”, which brings out the force of the overall text. Don’t just pussyfoot around on the edges, don’t be shy, don’t think you are unworthy, don’t think it is too risky. Get right in, yes right inside, boldly, holding nothing back, with total confidence.

When Charles Wesley was converted from Christian religion to Christ relationship on 27 May 1738, he wrote these words as his first hymn,

No condemnation now I dread,

Jesus and all in Him is mine!

Alive in Him, my living Head,

And clothed in righteousness divine,

Bold I approach the eternal throne,

And claim the crown through Christ my own.”

He had earnestly pursued after religious practice for years, but now he had met Jesus and was able to enjoy the very presence of God. Where are you today?

Enter into the presence of God each day this week whether in prayer, Bible reading, worship, meditation …. Let’s get right in!

 

With love and blessing,

Roland