“WOE IS ME”

I have felt during worship for the past several weeks that we, as a corporate body, are attempting to enter the manifest presence of God without the clean hands and pure heart God expects of those who climb His Mountain. This scripture keeps finding my mind: “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Change your mind and purpose, turn away from the glitter of the world and turn your mind to Me, that I might refresh and revive you in My presence. I think it is good and appropriate to recognize our uncleanness any time we attempt to enter the presence of God, much like Esther’s preparation to enter the King’s presence, or Isaiah’s self revelation when he entered the temple and saw the Lord. Perhaps we take for granite that which we received at so great a cost? Perhaps, after so many years of traveling God’s road we have forgotten our unworthiness, our utter filthiness, how to say... “Woe is me.” Perhaps we have forgotten the Cross? Repentance and conversion are more than elements of salvation; they are the on-going demonstration of a willing and humble heart, a contrite spirit. And perhaps, they are the price of admission into God’s presence.

GOD’S PRESENCE IS NOT AN ENTITLEMENT