Nougat 26

A thought for our consideration, not everyone’s worship is acceptable to God. If this is the case, then Today’s Holy Nougat is an invitation for self examination.

“Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Who May Worship

In the Israelite tradition, priests were the only ones eligible for entry into the Holy of Holies. Although they, the Children of Israel, benefited from God’s protection, they didn’t all have direct access to God’s presence. Part of that lay in the fact that God is Holy and Wholly Other, and God’s holiness demanded purity in God’s presence.

The remainder of the psalm gives a summary of the various aspects of purity deemed for actually worshipping (praising) God. These include persons who refrain from gossiping, harming neighbors, or backbiting. Likewise, persons of integrity, honesty, who supported and befriended God-chasers were among those honored to worship God. While some of us may be eligible, there are those of us who would probably be disqualified.

And that’s where the Blood of Jesus comes in – because it’s through Jesus’s death and resurrection that we are purified enough to be in God’s presence. Remember, after Adam and Eve recognized the extent of their sin, they realized that they were no longer ‘worthy’ to enter God’s presence. They used fig leaves to cover their exposed shame, but it was Blood that covered their nakedness.

Thus, despite our fears, nakedness, shame and imperfections; the Blood of Jesus purifies and makes us worthy to worship God (see 1 John 1:7-9). We cannot in our own strength enter Gods presence and by extension, worship worthily. Recognizing that truth, we pause to worship even more intentionally, because in Christ, and by the power of God’s Spirit, we have access to the Throne of Grace.

Hallelujah! Bless the Lord! We thank You Triune God for access and grace to worship You at any time and not only in the temple.

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May all we seek be found in Christ