Every day, I must pass into my sacred shrine to be with God. With a set
purpose, I must take off my earthly garments, and put on
my sacred dress. I have to hush myself into quietness. I have
to beseech the Holy Spirit for His empowerment. I have to steadfastly study
the majesty, the purity, and the grace of the God to Whom I
come. Much mental concentration is required of me. A sincere and honest
heart is also required. I am called to earnest contemplation and
prayer.
When the service of the priests is over in the inner sanctuary, they divest themselves of the robes of whiteness in which they stood before the Lord. They do not show themselves to the people in a garb so venerable. God keeps something to Himself, something which shall be known only to His servants and to Him. Just so, I cannot disclose everything in my secret place with others. There are heights and depths in the truth I am being taught, in the mercy I have received which I do not yet comprehend, and over which I shall have to ponder all my life long.
And I ought not to disclose everything. To unveil my most sublime spiritual experiences, will injure me. It would lessen humility, and foster pride. It would rub the delicate bloom from off my character. It would make my secret place a beaten path. My sanctuary clothing is not for the public outer court.
Yet mine is a God who is never distant and inaccessible. The priests of old, left the shrine and went out into the world. But the Lord abides in the Holy Place still. We need only to return, and to clothe themselves anew in our holy vestments, and we will find Him the same as before a God Who rejoices to hear our cry, Who delights in our sincere, yet poor and disappointing services, Who will lift up His countenance on us and give us peace.
When I call upon Him, withdrawing myself from all others and all else, He is near as my strong Refuge and and my ever-present Help in times of trouble. The doors of His Holy Place are never barred; and, within the doors, His gracious welcome awaits me.
May He be the Temple that is the dearest spot on earth to me. May I be priest to serve Him day and night!
When the service of the priests is over in the inner sanctuary, they divest themselves of the robes of whiteness in which they stood before the Lord. They do not show themselves to the people in a garb so venerable. God keeps something to Himself, something which shall be known only to His servants and to Him. Just so, I cannot disclose everything in my secret place with others. There are heights and depths in the truth I am being taught, in the mercy I have received which I do not yet comprehend, and over which I shall have to ponder all my life long.
And I ought not to disclose everything. To unveil my most sublime spiritual experiences, will injure me. It would lessen humility, and foster pride. It would rub the delicate bloom from off my character. It would make my secret place a beaten path. My sanctuary clothing is not for the public outer court.
Yet mine is a God who is never distant and inaccessible. The priests of old, left the shrine and went out into the world. But the Lord abides in the Holy Place still. We need only to return, and to clothe themselves anew in our holy vestments, and we will find Him the same as before a God Who rejoices to hear our cry, Who delights in our sincere, yet poor and disappointing services, Who will lift up His countenance on us and give us peace.
When I call upon Him, withdrawing myself from all others and all else, He is near as my strong Refuge and and my ever-present Help in times of trouble. The doors of His Holy Place are never barred; and, within the doors, His gracious welcome awaits me.
May He be the Temple that is the dearest spot on earth to me. May I be priest to serve Him day and night!
[Alexander Smellie]
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Ezekiel 42:14 ... When the priests enter therein, then shall they not go out of the holy place into the utter court, but there they shall lay their garments wherein they minister; for they are holy; and shall put on other garments, and shall approach to those things which are for the people.
Psalm 91:1-2 ... He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Matthew 6:6 ... But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Revelation 19:14 ... And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.❤
