JANUARY 7
Psalm 5:7, “But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house.”
As a hospice chaplain, I’ve visited dozens of homes in recent years. It is a unique experience to go to the home of new folks you haven’t met before. But in nearly all cases, I’ve received a warm welcome. It’d be an entirely different scenario than going to the home of someone I’ve harmed or offended, in which case I wouldn’t expect a hospitable situation.
How is it that we, as those who have sinned against God, can then find the freedom, and even a welcome invitation, to enter into the Lord’s presence in prayer? The Psalmist, as one having faith in God, understood the invitation to be because of the “abundance of steadfast love.” The phrase “steadfast love” speaks to God’s loyal and unchanging love for His people. No matter how imperfect they were, God’s love for them didn’t change. That overflowing love worked to open the door.
Hebrews 4:16 invites us to draw near with confidence to the throne of grace “that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” That confidence is not based on who we are or anything we’ve done, but on the fact that in Jesus, we have a high priest who passed through the heavens (Hebrews 4:14). He who lovingly died for our sins, and then ascended to the right hand of God, has worked to impart to us His own righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). He who cares for us bids us cast our cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7). Because of His amazing love, He lovingly welcomes us in with open arms.
“I will come into thy sanctuary, just a child into his father’s house.”—Charles Spurgeon
Application questions: How’s your prayer life? Take time to consider the amazing privilege that Jesus has availed to you in giving you the freedom to enter into God’s presence in prayer! Is there some known and unconfessed sin holding you back? Prayer is the antidote for that as well (1 John 1:9).
LookingtoJesus 