31/10/2014 - STEPS THAT LEAD TO GOD’S PRESENCE

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Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God. Psalm 43.3,4

The revelation that you receive from the Word of God is not enough. It guides and leads you to the holy hill. But you must enter God’s tabernacle. And once you arrive at God’s dwelling place, keep going until you get to his altar, the altar of the God who is your exceeding joy. And then, with your ability to worship the Father, praise him with all your heart and your soul.

The first step to get to God’s presence is to believe in the revelation of the Scriptures. His Word is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path (Psalm 119.105). Once you understand what it is written in them, you will be able to draw closer to him. Continue to go ahead and do not accept any emotion as if it were everything you could get from God. Your goal is to come before the altar of God to pour your heart to him and be comforted.

The path that is now open to you will guide you and lead you to the holy hill. It was there, on the mount, that Peter, James and John saw God’s glory and heard his voice (Mark 9.1-8). When you climb the hill of faith, you will see those things which are above, and how God is good and perfect in his creation and also how your problems are too small compared to his glory. You will feel closer to the Lord. Climbing is hard work, but worthwhile nevertheless.

When you enter God’s tabernacle, you will discover what moved David, what made Solomon wise and what led Elijah to defy the king of Israel, rebuke his people and challenge the prophets of the devil at the contest on Mount Carmel. He who arrives at the tabernacle of the Lord will never be the same; rather, he will change for better, becoming a true servant of the Lord, because the tabernacle is a place of learning.

The journey is not finished, and the best is yet to come. Seek the altar of the Lord and pour out your heart before him. You will see that your weaknesses will vanish, your faith will get stronger and you will learn useful things for your life and other people’s lives. God’s work needs that its participants, who were called to carry them out, arrive to God’s altar eager to decide everything concerning themselves, others and the mission with which they have been entrusted.

On the Most High’s altar, your best offering will be your own life. Your goals will change completely. You will no longer care about the things of the flesh, nor will you be interested in your personal projects. At that moment, all personality flaws will be fixed and your vision will be straightened out. Then you will come out as a true worshiper.

The Lord needs you to come to his altar; this way, God himself will touch your lips and take your inequity away (Isaiah 6.7). Then you will be able to hear the voice of the Lord asking whom he shall send, and your answer will be firm and determined: “Here am I! Send me” (v. 8). God is faithful to keep all his promises.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares