Fear No Fear

(All scripture from the World English Bible, ebible.org, all rights reserved)

“Bring Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, near to you from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office: Aaron, with Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons. You shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. You shall speak to all who are wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron’s garments to sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office. These are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a fitted tunic, a turban, and a sash. They shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office“
(Exodus 28:1-4)

“Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous works among all the peoples.
For Yahweh is great, and greatly to be praised!
    He is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
    but Yahweh made the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before him.
    Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to Yahweh, you families of nations,
    ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength.
Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name.
    Bring an offering, and come into his courts.“
(Psalm 96:3-8)

In a tent made out of fine and precious materials, using implements of gold, and dressed in splendour, the priests led the Israelites in the worship of Yahweh, God Almighty. Imagine what it would look like. Imagine just how DIFFERENT that environment was from the deserts and wildernesses that they were travelling in. The craftsmanship. How it must have sparkled and shone. A tent that looked DIFFERENT. Entering it was almost like entering another world. It would have been impossible to think ordinary thoughts in such a spectacular environment where everything pointed to the glory of God and the set-apart-ness of His people.

When we are in an environment like that, it is easy to praise the Lord. It’s easier to get into the ‘mood’ in church than it is in your living room. Church almost feels like where God lives, and our homes or jobs are the places we call out to Him for help. Yet the truth is that we are as spectacular in His eyes as fancy windows, sparkling gems, and shining equipment (Psalm 139:14). Holy Spirit lives inside of US (1 Corinthians 3:16). WE are the environment in which He dwells. Wherever WE are, HE is. Wherever WE are, we can lean into Him, acknowledge His presence (no matter what we FEEL), and our praises WILL be heard. WE are the set-apart spectacular environment pointing to His glory.

Summary

It’s easy to buy into the religious lie that we need to assail the gates of Heaven to be heard by God. But nothing is further than the truth. His Word tells us He lives within us. His Word tells us He hears his children. His Word tells us that when we pray according to His Word, our prayers are answered. Every time. He is with us. He NEVER leaves us. We don’t always look at Him, but He is always looking at us. He is there to guide, correct, teach, listen, speak, and love. That is GLORIOUS. That is something to praise Him over. He is right there and you are right there with Him!