Boldly I Approach

I am currently reading the OT books of the law. Reading the law there hundreds of ways that we can sin willingly and unwillingly.  According to the law, even unintentional contact with something unclean (sinful) means that you are sinful and would need to go to the Temple and make a sacrifice to cleanse you from that sin.  

This Easter season I have been struck in a new way the separation between Israel and His presence in the OT.  Only the High Priest was able to directly be in His of the Most High and atone for the sins of the people.  There was literally a physical divide between His presence in the Tabernacle and the rest of Israel.  People could not directly atone for their sins, but needed the priest to do it on their behalf.  If someone besides the High Priest were to enter the Holy of Holies, they would be struck to death for daring to experience the holiness of His presence.

This separation no longer exists, hallelujah!!! Because of His sacrifice on the Cross the veil has been torn and anyone can enter His presence at any time.  We no longer need a proxy to atone for our sin, but can directly repent. His grace has allowed us to commune with Him at any times.  What a blessed miracle.

I love the lyrics of the Rend Collective song “Boldly I Approach” because it elegantly encompasses the beauty of the Cross.

Boldly I approach your throne

Blameless now I’m coming home

By Your blood I come

Welcomed as Your Own

Into Your arms of majesty

What a blessing that we can boldly approach Him at any time!

Second Chances

 

I was introduced to this song on Easter Sunday and have had it playing non-stop ever since.  I absolutely love the powerful words of this song that highlight the redemption of the Cross!  Because of His sacrificial death, we have restored relationship with the Creator of heaven and earth. 

I love Rend Collective's lyrics which reminds us that:
        Everything is redeemable through His blood. 
        There is always forgiveness for our mistakes when we seek Him.
        Hope restarts at the Cross.  He has victory over our circumstances.
       

Christmas Music

Listening to Christmas music is one of my favorite things in the world.  Living in Asia it is very rare to hear Christmas music played outside the occasional Starbucks. Thankfully I have my iPod loaded with hours of wonderful music.   Here are some of the songs that I've been playing incessantly the last few weeks because of their great lyrics and meanings.

Hallelujahs

I love music.  A well composed melody is one of my favorite things in the world.  Lately "Hallelujahs" by Chris Rice has been one of my most played songs. The song focuses on the intricate beauty of His creation.  The chorus says:
   Oh praise Him all His might works,
   There is no language where you can't be heard.
   Your song goes out to all the earth.
   Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.

I remember crying the first time I heard those words.  What a powerful declaration of His nature.  He created the entire universe and yet still wants to have a relationship with us.  Every single person on this planet (regardless of ethnicity, religion, or socioeconomic status) is able to communicate directly with the Alpha and Omega. Circumstances cannot change the fact that each human being on this planet is loved and treasured by Him.

Language and cultural barriers don't exist in the Kingdom!  The more time I spend living overseas the more I am overjoyed by this fact.  Getting on the bus each day I hear multiple local dialects, in addition to the national language of Mandarin.  And the best part is that our loving Abba is able to communicate with His children in their heart languages, the languages people were taught as children. Though I am unable to speak proficiently with those around me He is able to touch their hearts in such an intimate way that my feable attempts no longer matter.  Hallelujah---what cause for celebration!