How can we prepare ourselves to experience God's presence in our lives today? Setting the Scene Leviticus 9:4 records that Israel was to present “an ox and a ram for a peace offering to sacrifice before the LORD, and a grain offering mixed with oil; for today the LORD will appear to you.” God tied their experience of His manifest presence to careful, obedient preparation. The same principle guides us today. Why Preparation Still Matters • God is holy; His presence requires reverence (Hebrews 12:28–29). • Obedience invites fellowship; disobedience creates distance (Isaiah 59:2). • Christ completed the sacrificial system, yet we still “offer” ourselves (Romans 12:1). What Spiritual Preparation Looks Like 1. Offer the Right Sacrifice • Old-covenant Israel brought animals; we come through Christ’s finished work (Hebrews 10:19-22). • Trusting Christ’s atonement is the foundation of every encounter with God. 2. Purify the Heart • Confess known sin (1 John 1:9). • Ask the Spirit to search and reveal hidden attitudes (Psalm 139:23-24). 3. Consecrate Daily Life • Present “your bodies as living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1). • Set apart time, thoughts, and habits that honor Him (1 Peter 1:15-16). 4. Cultivate Expectant Faith • Israel was told, “today the LORD will appear.” Believe God still draws near (James 4:8). • Approach Scripture and prayer anticipating His voice (John 10:27). 5. Maintain a Grateful Spirit • Grain mixed with oil symbolized provision and joy; gratitude keeps our focus on God’s goodness (Psalm 100:4). 6. Walk in Obedient Worship • “Do what He says” (John 2:5). Immediate obedience creates fertile ground for His presence (John 14:21). Connecting Passages • Psalm 24:3-4—clean hands and a pure heart ascend His hill. • Hebrews 4:16—confidence to approach the throne of grace. • 2 Corinthians 6:16-18—God dwells with a separated, devoted people. Living It Out • Begin each day with confession and surrender. • Keep short accounts—repent quickly when convicted. • Integrate worship into ordinary tasks: songs while driving, Scripture on breaks. • Meet regularly with other believers; corporate sacrifice in Leviticus points to shared worship today (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Record answered prayers and moments of sensed nearness to build faith for tomorrow. Intentional, faith-filled preparation positions us to experience the reality Leviticus 9:4 foreshadowed: the living God drawing near to His people. |
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