Lent Book: https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/an-ocean-of-grace
My jottings:
(Comments welcome)
Ocean of Grace (27): MONDAY – Our
Compassionate Saviour (93pff)
How do you think we should approach God? Why?
Some people imagine that if God exists we
could bowl up into his presence self-confidently. Maybe they think they’re
alright. After all, I’m no Hitler or Stalin. I may not be perfect, but I’m not what
you’d call a big sinner. And I’m not as bad as so-and-so. God is like a kindly
grandfather. He’ll forgive. That’s his job.
But the Bible would say this kind of brash
presumption would be totally wrong.
(For further reading: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7)
Yesterday’s reading from Anselm was called “A
Meditation to Stir Up Fear”. There can be a right and a wrong kind of fear of
God. Anselm obviously thought it was good and helpful to promote a certain kind
of fear of God. We should not let a cringing terror keep us from coming to God.
But we should come to him with reverence and awe, remembering his greatness and
holiness. Many of the Old Testament descriptions of Sinai, or the Tabernacle
and the Temple show us that God wants to relate to his people and be known by
them, but that it is not a straightforward thing for sinners to come into the
presence of a Holy God. We must come in God’s way, in repentance and faith,
trusting in his promise and sacrifice for us.
So what would a right kind of holy confidence
and boldness before God look and feel like? What reasons do we have to come to
God knowing that we will receive a gracious welcome?
Give thanks afresh for our access to our holy
God – for the curtain of the temple torn down by the death of Jesus, for a new
and living way into God’s presence. Praise Jesus for his saving work and for
his intercession for us.
Hymn: Just As I, Without One Plea
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxA0TFe3-Uo
Words etc.: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/1048
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