Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. The natural man often considers
that he has some sort of a familiar relationship with God. Very few
folks would not claim to pray from time to time, some more
often than others. Most assume that since they pray,
that surely God must be interested in their prayers, as they imagine
him to be a kind listener 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 scriptures
describes. 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 to converse with God anytime they
get ready. They picture Him as a kind old gentleman who's just
sitting idly by, awaiting their petitions. Many blind guides
even instruct men 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
who can be worshipped according to their own ideas. This is the
idolatry which is quite common among the masses, and even prompts
men to hew out statues, paintings, and religious traditions which
capture their gods according to their various whims. This
is what prompted the Philistines to build a temple in which they
place their god, Dagon, but it is the exact notion which prompts
many who call themselves Christians to imagine that they can put
God any place they desire and that they can worship Him as
they please according to their free will. Yet the Scriptures
give us a completely different picture of Him than anything
which a 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 inhabited 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. 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,
which He alone possesses, 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 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
into vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. Only one man has ever 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 must
worship at his footstool. 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 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, have 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 small principalities and powers, He made a show of
them openly, triumphing over them in it. 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 and by 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 on 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, thou
hast reigned and triumphed there. All thine enemies are vanquished,
trampled here beneath thy feet. Reign forever, blessed Savior,
and receive thy glory meet. Do you rejoice in His glory?
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