Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. The natural man often considers
that he has some sort of a natural relationship with God. Most folks
would claim to pray from time to time. Most assume that since
they pray that surely God must be interested in their prayers,
as they imagine him to be a kind listener, like a faithful hound,
and one who is attentive to their needs, if not actually obligated
to hear them. The Pharisee who went to the
temple prayed this sort of prayer, which the scripture describes
as the Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself. Many will
grow quite angry if one dares to question their ability and
right to pray as they see fit, because after all, they believe
they have the right and ability to converse with God any time
they get ready. They picture him as a kind old
gentleman, probably with a long white beard, who is just sitting
idly by awaiting their petitions. Many blind guides even instruct
men on how to pray in such fashion that they can back God into a
corner and basically force Him to answer them as they desire.
Carnal men desire a carnal God, who is in many ways likened to
themselves, or at least one which can be worshipped according to
their own ideas. This is idolatry. This is what
prompted the Philistines to build a temple in which they placed
their God, Dagon. But it is the exact notion which
prompts many who call themselves Christians to imagine that they
can put God in any place they desire, and that they can worship
Him according to their free will. Yet the Scriptures give us a
completely different picture of Him than anything which man
might imagine. Who only hath immortality, dwelling
in the light which no man can approach unto, whom no man hath
seen, nor can see, to whom be honor and power everlasting.
Amen. He is inapproachable, and the
place of his habitation is far removed from the prying eyes
of men. For thus saith the High and Lofty One that inhabiteth
eternity, whose name is Holy, I dwell in the high and holy
place. And he said, Thou canst not see my face, literally come
into my presence, for there shall no man see me and live. Now unto
the King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, the only wise God, be honor and
glory forever and ever. He is a holy God. He is set apart
from His creation, which must wait upon Him who is in the heavens,
and does whatsoever He pleases. None can stay His hand, nor even
question His doing. The Lord is in His holy temple.
Let all the earth keep silence before Him. His immortality sets
Him completely apart from all that is the creation of His hand.
His holiness sets the backdrop for His justice and judgment,
which are inescapable and immutable. None can enter into His presence
who is in any wise less than perfectly holy. Who shall ascend
into the hill of the Lord, or who shall stand in His holy place?
He that hath clean hands and a pure heart, who hath not lifted
up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. Only one who
has ever been born of a woman has met this criteria, and he
alone is acceptable in his father's sight. Thus we read that he is
seated at the father's right hand. We are to worship at his
footstool. The Hebrew word literally means
to stamp upon with the foot. In the Greek it literally means
to put under the foot or a footrest. The picture that comes to mind
is that of one who has finished his work and does now rest from
his labors, having triumphed over all of his enemies and is
clearly a victor over sin, death, and hell. And you being dead
in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened
together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses, blotting
out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was
contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his
cross. And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of
them openly, triumphing over the many. It is here that the
sons of God bow down and worship. But God forbid that I should
glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the
world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Let us never
forget that He has won this victory for Himself. He alone is worthy
of glory and praise. We are the beneficiaries of that
which He has achieved. For the joy which was set before
Him, He endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now sat down
at the right hand of God. But this man, after he had offered
one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down by the right hand of
God, from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his
footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected forever them
that are sanctified. Lo, before thy footstool kneeling,
let us go in humble prayer. Glory be to God in heaven, thy
has reigned in triumph there. All thine enemies are vanquished,
trampled here beneath thy feet. Reign forever, blessed Savior,
and receive thy glory meet. Do you worship Him? For a free
CD containing 15 of these radio broadcasts, send an email to
forthepoor at windstream.net.