“Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons, and concerning the works of My hands, command ye Me.” Isaiah 45:11
To whom does the Lord reveal Himself? Is it not to the seeking heart, to the worshipful soul? Why is it that worship is that means which God has given to men by which men’s thoughts are elevated to perceive something of the glory of God, so that in seeing he may believe, and pray? Worship is designed to lift man up beyond the pettiness of his littleness, and the awfulness of his sin, to be occupied with, and dominated by the heavenly, particularly the One who is heavenly, reigning today, sitting in all His glory upon His throne.
One of the greatest aspects of the salvation which Christ has won for mankind on the Cross is the capacity given to men to come with assurance, and certainty to God, being accepted by Him, knowing the peace of God. That entrance into the presence of God, by the precious blood of Christ, and the quickening Spirit, all in the name of the Lord Jesus, is the wondrous prelude to blessing, for access is given to the individual saved sinner to come and worship the Creator, and the Redeemer and Sustainer of men. It is there, in that place of certain good, where the mercy and grace of God is so manifestly on display, that the soul can be empowered to look up and worship the only true and living God, and this according to the truth of His word, and the testimony of Christ’s Spirit. Accepted in the Beloved, having peace with God, and anointed by the Spirit of power, the believer can gaze by faith upon this One who is declared by the Scriptures as being: “Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) Marvel of marvels, it is in the act of true worship, worship by the Spirit of God, of Christ, that God transforms the believer, changing him into the image of Christ. This is not by virtue of the believer’s meager “resources” in and of himself, but by the indwelling Christ by the Spirit. It is in beholding that the change occurs.
There is another great and wonderful blessing of coming to God with assurance, entering into His presence provided by the singular sacrifice of Christ, there is the revelation of God to the heart and mind, to the soul of the humble soul. It is there that God speaks and reveals His will and purposes to the believer. In that place of worshipful communion with God, Christ speaks, taking the truths of His inspired word, and making them real to the heart. It is for this reason that the Psalmist would write: “Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?” (77:13) It is as the believer worships God in Spirit and truth, that God reveals Himself, His ways, and His purposes. The believer begins to have a true perspective of spiritual reality of the heavenly compared to all that is going on in this earth. It is also true that God reveals to the believer “in heaven” that which He desires and wills to accomplish “on earth, as it is in heaven.” Again, the Psalmist writes: “Thou art the God that doest wonders: Thou hast declared Thy strength among the people.” (v.14) In beholding the Father and Christ, by faith, by the Spirit and in truth, the soul begins to grasp something of how wonderful, great, faithful, and true God is. Faith takes on new strength, rising to new heights in its ability to appropriate Christ for the multiple needs of spirit, soul, and body while on earth. That which is also revealed is the knowledge of the will of God. Those who live closest to God are those who discern most clearly the revealed will of God. Throughout Scripture we see the principle that God reveals His glory to the heart, in order to bring that heart to abounding faith.
Dear Father, Fill up our vision. In Jesus’ name, Amen.