The Path to His Presence

I love reading about the tabernacle of God in Exodus. There are so many representations of God's heart concerning His relationship with His children. Today, I want to focus on the Laver. Let's work our way to it. The Gate was the one and only entrance to the courtyard, representing Christ being the only path to a relationship with God. The first thing you would come to upon entering the courtyard was the Brazen Altar... the place where they would bring their best animal sacrifices to be slaughtered for the atonement of their sins. This represented the perfect blood sacrifice that Christ would later make as He willingly gave His life for us. You would then come to the Laver. It was a large bowl where the priests would come to cleanse themselves before approaching the presence of God.

The comparison here is that though our sins are forgiven by the work of the cross, we must repent and our minds must be washed daily through the reading of God's Word. No...reading your Bible is not an option... it's imperative for your growth and a deeper walk of faith. Yes, you are saved by Grace and if that's enough for you then leave your Bible on the shelf, but you'll sadly miss out on so much more of Christianity that's been provided for you to experience and share.

There's so much garbage that surrounds us and fights for access to our hearts and minds on a daily basis. The only way to defeat temptation and continue pressing forward is by the daily washing of the Word. People wonder how some can enter the Secret Place of God's presence so easily, when they, on the otherhand, struggle to even focus on Him during their prayer time. You may be earnestly trying to seek God and build your relationship with Him, but your mind tends to wander as it's filled with all of the cares of life.

Begin to read your Bible and purge the junk that battles for your attention and has become a distraction for you. The more of God's Word that begins to occupy your heart and mind, the easier and more enjoyable your prayer and worship time will become. I've heard many say that they just don't like to read... This isn't about reading a lifeless book, but it's about building a relationship with Jesus and allowing the living Word of God to do a work deep inside of your soul!! It's a life changing privilege we've been given that gives us a glimpse into the heart of our Father, direction for our lives and it reveals the path to His presence! Don't miss it! Ephesians 5:25-27 (NKJV) “…Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” Exodus 30:17-21 (NKJV) Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: “You shall also make a laver of bronze, with its base also of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar. And you shall put water in it, for Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet in water from it. When they go into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn an offering made by fire to the LORD, they shall wash with water, lest they die. So they shall wash their hands and their feet, lest they die. And it shall be a statute forever to them—to him and his descendants throughout their generations.”

Hebrews 4:12 ( NLT) For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. II Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Psalm 119:105 (NKJV) Your Word is a lamp to my feet, a light to my path. James 1:22 (NLT) But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. Psalm 119:9 (NLT) How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.