“He made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood.”

Exodus 38:1 (ESV)

How do we approach God in prayer? Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer, which is a great outline. But the tabernacle that the LORD instructed Moses to build in the wilderness also lays out a method for approaching God. Naturally, we are separated from God by sin. So how do we draw near to God so that our sins can be forgiven, and we can have fellowship with Him?

If you were an Israelite dwelling in the wilderness, you would have seen the cloudy pillar of God hovering over the tabernacle. Clearly, the only way to approach God was through the tabernacle. There was one door where you could enter. As soon as you entered the courtyard, you would see the altar of burnt offering. You knew that you could not come near to God without animal sacrifice. Only through the shedding of blood could there be forgiveness of sins.

Today we don’t have a physical tabernacle or temple. But if we want to draw near to God, then we must first come by way of the cross. Atonement must be made for our sins before we can approach Almighty God in His holiness. Thankfully, the price was paid in full when Jesus died on the cross. I find that meditating on the cross and thanking God for what Christ accomplished there for me is a great way to enter His presence. This also sets our hearts at ease when they condemn us. Our sins have been forgiven. We don’t worry whether we’ve done enough good deeds to be accepted by God. We are accepted in the Beloved Jesus Christ! (Ephesians 1:6)

Second, the priests had to wash their hands and feet with the water from the laver (washbasin). Even though they were involved in holy work, their hands and feet still got dirty. Likewise, we must be washed with the washing of water by the Word of God to cleanse us from the world’s pollution and the corruption of our flesh (Ephesians 5:26-27). I believe that we should spend time in the Word every day to cleanse our hearts and keep us from sin (John 15:3; Psalm 119:11).

Third, only the priests could enter the Holy Place, where they would daily offer incense and trim the lamps of the lampstand. Thankfully, the way has been opened to every believer to enter the Holy Place where we can serve the LORD in an acceptable way. We spend time praying over our service to God.

Fourth, when Christ died the veil before the Most Holy Place was torn in two. We can now enter the LORD’s presence with a true heart in full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:22). We can approach the throne of grace with boldness to receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Spend time communing with your Heavenly Father, and with childlike faith ask Him for all that you need.

Think through the tabernacle. We can draw near to God whenever we want, offering Him thanksgiving and praise, making our petitions, and interceding for others. So what are we waiting for?

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