Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Fearful Attractiveness of God's Holiness

O God,

Like the angels, we bow before you in humble address. For we cannot gaze upon you and live. Your holiness makes you attractive. Our hearts leap at the mentioning of your perfect way and your transcendent being. But yet, our eyes cannot bear the sight. Our frame trembles to even think of entering your presence.

But lo, O God. We desire it. We long to be drawn by your hand into it. And we pray that we might partake of it.

So we call upon your name. We pray that your Spirit might minister to us and assist us as we enter into the holy of holies this hour. We praise you that through Christ our Savior we do have access to you this morning. And we pray that it would be effective for our greater sanctification.

But more than that, we pray that we might give to you the worship that is your due.

God Sees Us Looking Elsewhere

God, you see through us. You see the very depths of us. Every thought is laid bear before you. Every action is recorded in heaven. Every motive is not hidden from you.

But we come before you because there is the promise of forgiveness with you. Though you see all, you will blot out the transgressions of those who come to you in faith.

Indeed our sin is that we have taken our eyes off of you. We have been distracted by many things and by many affairs. And we have failed to remember your Almighty arm, your sweet provision, and everlasting love.

Thus we have wasted ourselves and our time with worries. We could have rested in you, but instead we have gone the way of the heathen.

Lord, we acknowledge our foolishness before you and we pray that you would acknowledge it no longer. Forgive us and make us clean.