True intimacy, holy fear and humility- the trios

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence- continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Philippians 2:12-13

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This will be quite a long entry, not typical of me, someone of few words. hee~ Anyway, God really spoke to me really strongly as I picked up from where I left off for my QT this week and also from reading "Drawing Near" by John Bevere.

For my QT these two weeks, I've been reading the book of Hebrews. I can't help but to be amazed at how each time God spoke to me especially when I am asking Him to show me what to tell the cell gals. On Fri, I was reading chapter 8-10 of Hebrews. Basically it talks about the worship in the tabernacle and how Christ work on the cross has completed redeemed us when we believe in Him. After reading, I was like, "hmm.. what is God going to show me?"

Then I decided to turn to the book, "Drawing Near"(chap 5- behind the veil) to continue from where I last stopped. Man.. It was amazing... Whatever that I read in the bible earlier on, was reinforced and further elaborated in the chapters of that book. My eyes were glued to the book and there was no way I could put it down. My heart pounded harder each time as I read on further.

In the olden days, when the tabernacle was erected, God dwelt in the inner section the "Most Holy Place." It was here where the high priest would enter once a year. On this occasion, the priest entered by way of the outer court where blood sacrifice was offered on the brazen altar to make amends with God for his sin and those of the people. After this was done the preist would wash himself at the laver adjacent to the altar. Then he entered the Holy Place through a veil. In this place no natural light entered. The only light came from the golden candle stick, which represented Jesus, our Light (John 9:5). Also in this place was the showbread that spoke of Jesus as our Bread of Life (John 6:48). The third article in that place was the altar of incense, which represented a life of continuous prayer and worship.

Even there he still had not entered the place where God's presence dwelled. There remained yet another veil separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. In this place above the mercy seat dwelt the actual manifest presence of God. This is the veil that was torn when Jesus gave up His spirit: " the veil of the tmeple was torn in two from top to bottom" (Matthew 27:51) Now God rent this veil because He was moving out to inhabit in His longed for tabernacle.

And where is this tabernacle? None other than our bodies! Yes, God moved into the hearts of human beings who were consecrated by the sacrifice of Jesus. He has made a place for Himself that is nearest to the object of His love and affection. When we draw near to Him who is in our hearts, we enter the throne room of God. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the presence behind the veil. (Hebrews 6:19)

The rending of the old veil made way for every worshipper in this world to come into the presence of God by a new and living way. This veil now becomes our flesh. If we can get beyond the outer court of our flesh by crucifying or denying it (see Galatian 5:24), we enter into the new "Holy of Holies" of the heart where continuous communion is available. But why is it that we are still struggling and praying " Draw Near to me"? What is it that hinders true intimacy?

The fundamental of enjoying intimacy with God is to fear Him. Yes. The fear of the Lord encompasses the love of what God loves as well as to hate what He hates. In the book of Proverbs, we read " The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7) Proverbs 2:1-5 goes on to explain to know God is paralleled to fearing Him.

Without the fear of the Lord, we really don't know God. An incorrect image is developed, shaped, and molded within our own soul or imagination. This is evident in the children of Israel. (Exodus 32) Essentially, Aaron and the children of Israel did was to mold a calf, point to it and say, "Behold Yahweh, the one true God, who brough us out of the land of Egypt!" They called this calf the name of their Lord. They were not blantantly denying God, rather they reduced His glory to the level of the image of this formed calf. They even rose up early the next morning to offer burnt offerings to honor the One they professed to serve! Deception, deception...

Are there those who have been delivered from the world by His saving grace, who lack holy fear and call on Jesus they have formed in their imagination?When people lack the fear of the Lord, they may call on Him but they gravitate towards fleshly appetites and the flesh is enmity with God, for it is not subject to the will of God (Romans 8:5-7)

The next step of deception leads to the belief you are in obedience when in reality you are not. When a heart lacks holy fear, it cultivates pride. (see 2 Chronicles 26, example of King Uzziah) When we approach God with strong desires that are not in line with His will, when has made it known to us, it can prove to be unwise and dangerous; for this can lead us to the next level of deception, one that is most sobering. This level of deception is when God Himself will actually give, or allow us to have, what we want:

And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, " Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which caused them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of all by them? (Ezek 14:2-3)

A form of idolatry is the reduction of God to a lower image; one who will give us what we passionately desire and the root of all idolatry is covetousness. (see Col 3:5-6) Covetousness is the state we find ourselves in when we are not contented. We strive because we lack peace or rest with what God has given us. We knowingly or unknowingly resist His plan or process in our own life.

All mankind is created with an innate desire to worship God. Yet many do not want to submit to the true Creator. So they set up a false god, but ultimately it is a man made image. The bottom line is that all idols are a source. They take the place only God deserves. An idol serve as your source of happiness, comfort, peace, provision etc... It is anything we put before God in our lives. It is what we love, like, trust, desire, or give our attention to more than the Lord.

(The next part is really mind sobering and scary.)
Balaam, who was a great prophet of Jehovah was so powerful that he reached the ears of kings. (see Numbers 22). Basically he seeked what he wanted, prayed very hard even when knowing it is not in God's will. Finally God gave him what he wanted and he continued in his coveteous pursuits and was eventually judged by the sword.

When we covet something contrary to God's will for us, God will often give to us; His answer is according to the idols resident in our hearts. Ultimately He does this to recapture our hearts (Ezek 14:4-5)

So it is a trap when we desire the blessings and closeness to the Lord, yet lack the fear of God. We are then deceived and this deception will continue to grow if we do not return to God with holy fear and love. This is what we're told:

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13)

He didn't admonish us to work out our salvation with love and joy, but with fear and trembling. Again the fear of the Lord is crucial and produce unconditional obedience in our hearts as well as actions. We must draw near with a heart of holy fear, rather than a careless heart easily subject to deception. Our loving Father is for us, and has given to us all thigns that pertain to life and godliness. He has given grace, through our Lord Jesus, to live obediently to His will, and it is only through this holy fear that we may have intimacy.