Holy

1 Samuel 6:19-20 (NIV) But God struck down some of the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh, putting seventy of them to death because they looked into the ark of the LORD. The people mourned because of the heavy blow the LORD had dealt them. And the people of Beth Shemesh asked, "Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God? To whom will the ark go up from here?

In the busyness of life, it is possible to lose sight of the incredible privilege we have to stand in His presence. How often do we stop to acknowledge how amazing that really is?

The account in 1 Samuel gives us an opportunity to do that.

When reading these verses, it is easy either to pass over them because they are a small part of the larger story of the ark, or to think, That seems harsh. Why would God strike people down for looking into the ark?

To understand the weight of what happened, we need to remember what the ark represented.

The ark of the covenant was the only piece of furniture placed inside the Most Holy Place. It was covered by the mercy seat, where the high priest sprinkled the blood of atonement once each year for the sins of Israel. Inside the ark were several items, including the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments.

The Law of God was covered by the mercy seat, where the blood of the sacrifice was applied. When the people of Beth Shemesh looked into the ark, they looked beneath that covering. They took away the mercy and blood and found that no one can stand before a holy God based on God's Law alone.

Their response was: "Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God?"

The answer is no one.

Not apart from mercy.

Not apart from sacrifice.

Not apart from Jesus Christ.

Because of His blood, we are now invited to come into God's presence with confidence. As Hebrews 4:16 tells us, "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

What an incredible privilege. The God whose holiness caused the people of Beth Shemesh to tremble is the same holy God who now invites us to draw near through His Son. By His sacrifice, the veil was torn in two, making a way for us to come into God's presence.

May we never treat that invitation casually. Our confidence is now in Christ's sacrifice. The God we approach is still perfectly holy, and His grace should never diminish our awe of Him.

Today, spend a few moments thanking Jesus for making a way into the Father's presence. Worship Him for His holiness, rejoice in His mercy, and never lose your wonder at the privilege of drawing near to the holy God.

-Stay the course, my friend.