“Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him and bless His name.” Psalm 100:4
When Satan confronted the Lord Jesus in the wilderness, offering to him “all the kingdoms of the world,” (Luke 4:5), he did so with the power to accomplish it. We know this from the Apostle John’s first letter where he wrote: “…and the whole world lieth in wickedness (lit. the wicked one.) (5:19) Why would Satan offer to Christ a short-cut to controlling and reigning over all the kingdoms of the earth, that which Christ would later do? It was for two reasons, the first of which was because of the fact that the one who would control Christ, would control absolutely the world, for Christ is the sovereign King of Creation and Redemption. The second reason is to attack the primary, and most critical aspect of Christ’s devotion to God, His worship of the Father. Why is this so? The worship of God is that fundamental, yet glorious means provided by God the Father, to commune with His Beloved Son, but also with every believer. In the case of Christ who had never sinned, it was the direct, constant, means given by the Father, of revealing the eternal truth to the heart and mind of Christ, but also, ministering to Him by the Holy the Spirit, strengthening Him to commune consistently with the Father, regardless of the circumstances. The act of worship, whether it be that of Christ, or of the believer, is that primary act of God-given devotion and faith in Him. For mankind, it is that attitude where the creature, or creation, is called upon to come to God, draw near to Him, enter into that blessed attitude and act of beholding God by faith, then offering to Him the praise, thanksgiving, and blessing that He is worthy to receive. But how does one so little, insignificant, and sinful as we are approach God with certainty, confidence, in Godly fear, yet with joy?
God witnesses or testifies by His Spirit to the heart of the believer when the believer comes to God His established way to truly worship. Everything concerning true worship is based upon the revelation of God’s ways, which are eternal, everlasting, and unalterable. In the book of Hebrews we discover God’s provision for the believer to come with assurance: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (4:16) The wonder of coming to God with certainty is to know that His throne is one of grace, unmerited favor towards the believer, and that there before His throne God will extend His mercy every time one approaches. By illustration we see Ester in the Old Testament coming before the King of Persia, seeking mercy to first be accepted, but then begin her plea to save her people from destruction. The king possessed the power in his staff to give her access and acceptance, or by the same staff have her put to death. God, who is not a sinner, extends His mercy to the one who comes to him, who truly seeks him, with the promise that he will not be cast out. Beyond this, God waits to be gracious to the seeking soul, willing to pour upon Him abundant and abounding grace for every need. But what does God use to give the believer the assurance that he is accepted by Him, enabling him to be bold in coming?
In the book of Hebrews, we read: “Having therefore brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus…” (10:19) The blood of Jesus Christ is God’s absolute, acceptable first thing. The knowledge of the way to God being consecrated for every believer, is the second. Thirdly, our High Priest, Christ is there ever making intercession for us. And lastly, with clean hands and a pure heart, having confessed and renounced all known sin, we are called to draw near by the Spirit’s power, God’s constant, abundant provision, for full assurance.
Dear Father, Strengthen us to worship. In Jesus’ name, Amen.