THE WORD: James 4:8
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
LET’S PRAY
Heavenly Father, create in me a clean heart. Renew a righteous spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Father, I want to be set apart for yourself.
I desire to be holy and pure in your sight. Enable me to focus on you, and take sin seriously. Help me to recognise my mistakes and as James 4:8-10 instructs, I pray that you would cleanse my hands and purify my heart, so that my loyalty will no longer be divided between you and the world.
Humble me before you, Lord, and remind me that Jesus is the only way to access you. May I never take your presence for granted, but always approach you with reverence. Thank you, Lord, for your mercy and grace.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
In Exodus 19, we see three essential aspects of encountering God: consecration, veneration (reverence), and mediation. As we delve into this passage, we’re reminded that God instructs Moses to consecrate the people, setting them apart from the profane and dedicating them to the holy. The Hebrew word for consecration is from the same root as “Holy” and means to be ceremonially clean or pure. The concept of sanctification is carried forward in the New Testament, emphasising the need for believers to be set apart for God.
As we seek to experience God in a deeper way, we must remember the importance of setting ourselves apart for Him. Now, this isn’t by our own efforts. We need help. So I urge you to pray. Ask God to help you approach Him with reverence and humility, recognising His holiness. We need the Lord to help us be truly set apart for Himself. It is difficult to confess your sins and ask for forgiveness in your own strength. You may feel guilty. Or ashamed. But Jesus is your mediator, cleansing you from sin and making you holy. Take a moment to pray, and ask God to meet you in a deeper way.
As we prepare to meet our holy God, may we remember the practical applications of consecration. Let’s look to refrain from personal indulgences, and take sin seriously. Have you set boundaries in your lives? Do you approach God on His terms, not yours? Do you rely on Jesus as your mediator, the only way to access God?
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