Take Me Deeper

If you're anything like me, worshipping God is more than something that gives you a good feeling on Sunday morning. Worship is an integral part of life. It is as important as breathing~without it, you can't live. But if you're like me, there are times when you can't seem enter in or break through to the realms of heaven when you're worshipping. Could it be that we are attempting to enter into the presence of God with hearts that have been defiled by sin?

Psalm 24:3-5 says, "Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart,who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation."

In the Good News Translation, verses 3-4 read, "Who has the right to go up the Lord's hill? Who may enter his holy Temple? 4 Those who are pure in act and in thought, who do not worship idols or make false promises."

Are we innocent or do we need to humble ourselves before His mighty hand, repent of our thoughts, deeds, and our worship of things other than God Himself before we attempt to enter His Holy Presence? Remember the priests of the temple. Before they dared enter the Holy of Holies, they went through ritual cleansing, and yet, wore bells to signal they were still moving, and a rope to drag their bodies from God's presence should they have entered unqualified.

Although we have a High Priest that has torn the veil between us and the presence of the Almighty God, this does NOT give us the right to go before Him haughtily with unclean hands or an unpure heart unless we are going in repentence.

I don't want to stand in the outer court shouting praise to the passing King. I want to be in His presence. I want to know Him like I've never known Him before. But there is a protocol for gaining access to the King's presence.

As for me, I take this moment to repent before God and man. For my many failings, I repent. If there are those I have unwittingly hurt in any way, I ask forgiveness. To my Lord, I come humbly and also ask forgiveness. And I am grateful to have a Father who is quick and faithful to forgive and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness that I may come into His presence once again...it is, after all, what I long for. How about you?

Take Me Deeper
Kathy Lebron ©
April, 2011

We lift our hands to worship God
and enter His holy presence
but criticize, hold grudges,
and gossip with no remorse.

We ask God for signs and wonders
but hang tight to offenses~
we're just shouting from the outer courts...
fringe Christianity with no power to save and heal the lost.

Lord, take me deeper~
past the Holy Place
to the Holiest of Holies.
I long to see Your face.

Take the coal and cleanse my lips.
Take my heart and make it new.
Give me clean hands and a pure heart
that I might truly worship You.

Lord, take me deeper
I want to be with You
I’ve counted the cost
I’ll pay the price
Nothing less will do
No, nothing less than all of You
Take me deeper with You, Lord