How can we prepare our hearts to welcome God's glory in our lives? The Setting: Glory Approaching the East Gate • Ezekiel 43:1 – “Then he led me to the gate, the gate that faces east.” • After years of exile, the Lord’s glory is seen returning; the vision assures that He still desires to dwell among a prepared people. Opening the Gate of the Heart • Psalm 24:7 – “Lift up your heads, O gates… that the King of Glory may enter!” • Our “gate” is the inner life. A ready heart swings wide when it responds to His voice quickly and willingly. Repentance: Clearing Obstructions • Ezekiel 43:9 – “Now let them put away their prostitution and the lifeless idols of their kings far from Me, and I will dwell among them forever.” • Practical steps – Ask the Spirit to search: Psalm 139:23-24 – Confess specifically: 1 John 1:9 – Remove known idols: habits, relationships, priorities that compete with Christ Pursuing Reverence and Holiness • Hebrews 12:14 – “Pursue… holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” • 1 Peter 1:15-16 – “Be holy, because I am holy.” • Guard inputs (media, conversations) that dull sensitivity to sin • Cultivate awe: meditate on God’s attributes, not just His benefits Obedience: Walking in the Light You Have • John 14:21 – “He who has My commandments and keeps them… I will love him and reveal Myself to him.” • The glory of God is experienced most richly on the path of everyday obedience • Start with the last clear instruction He gave—complete it Worship and Thanksgiving: Atmosphere of His Presence • Psalm 100:4 – “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” • Regular rhythms – Verbal praise morning and night – Songs that exalt His character, not just our feelings – Gratitude lists that name His works Expectation and Vision • Habakkuk 2:14 – “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD…” • 2 Corinthians 3:18 – “We all… contemplate the glory of the Lord, [and] are being transformed…” • Keep Scripture promises before your eyes; faith anticipates what God has said He will do Summary Checklist 1. Examine and confess sin quickly 2. Remove idols and compromises 3. Choose holiness in daily decisions 4. Act on every known command 5. Maintain an atmosphere of praise 6. Nurture expectant faith in His promises A heart prepared in these ways stands like Ezekiel’s eastern gate—open, cleansed, and ready for the unmistakable entrance of God’s glory. |
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