Are you living in God’s presence?

“The veil shall be a divider for you between the holy place and the Most Holy.”

Exodus 26:33 (NKJV)

The purpose of building the tabernacle was to provide a place where God could dwell among His people. But there was separation between God and man. No one could enter the Most Holy Place where God dwelt above the Ark of the Covenant, except the high priest, and then only once a year on the Day of Atonement. The veil kept the people from unlawfully entering and being struck down. This spoke of the fact that God is holy and people are sinful. The only means God provided for people to approach Him was through the shedding of blood. But the blood of bulls and goats could only cover sins; it could not take them away.

This separation remained in the temple that Solomon built and continued to the temple existing at the time of Christ. The way had not yet been opened for people to approach God freely and confidently. Sin’s penalty had not yet been served.

But when Christ died on the cross, the veil tore in two from top to bottom. God opened the way for people to approach Him through the blood of Jesus Christ, which makes complete atonement (at-one-ment). Our sins are completely taken away, and we are reconciled to God.

“And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.”

Hebrews 10:21–22 (NLT)

The way has been prepared. The dividing wall has been removed. Let us be thankful today for the free access we have in Christ to enter the Most Holy Place. The one thing required of us is repentance and faith. Then we may draw near to our great High Priest in full assurance, knowing that our sins are forgiven because of His blood.

Are you living in the reality of at-one-ment with God? Are you practicing His presence? Or are you still keeping your distance?