YOU KNOW WHAT'S COOL?

So in my last blog post I totally think I solidified just how uncool I am with my use of totally hip (unhip) phrasing.  I mean is it even cool to say cool anymore?  I don’t know, but I say it all the time.  Do I even try to be cool or uncool?  I say what I say, I like what I like, and I am who I am.  If I ever am cool or trendy be rest assured that it’s quite by accident.

You know what else is totally uncool?  Complaining!  This is not just my view point; I know this for a fact for the bible tells me so.

In the beginning of Deuteronomy just as the Israelites are about to finally enter the Promised Land Moses is explaining to the Israelites that what should have been an eleven day journey had been stretched into forty years of wandering in the desert.  Moses recounts to them the reasons for why they were forced to wander forty years in the desert.  It was because of their disobedience, lack of faith, and complaining.

It’s difficult for me to understand or to see how the Israelites could be lacking in faith and so forgetful with all that God had done for them.  He delivered them from slavery, provided miracle after miracle for them, and He made a covenant with them.  Yet over and over again, whenever they were fearful they would insist that they had been better off being the slave of the Egyptians.  REALLY!

Here’s the thing; the Israelites didn’t communicate directly with the Lord.  Yes they did sing and praise God, but they didn’t hear from Him directly.  They were afraid.

Exodus 20:19 Then they (the Israelites) said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”

When the Lord spoke to the Israelites He spoke through Moses; and then the prophets.

 

Later when the tabernacle (and then the temple) was set up, the Ark of the Covenant, which was the most Most Holy Place, was separated from the rest of the tabernacle by a veil.  The Israelites could not pass the veil only the priests were permitted beyond the veil.

Then Jesus came along (He didn't just come along, but you get my drift).  When Jesus taught what we know as the Lord’s Prayer, He taught us how to pray directly to the God and also taught that God is our Father.  Our Father! 

I don’t know about you, but I just pick up the phone to talk to my Dad, sometimes we just talk, sometimes he provides wisdom, and sometimes he provides help.  I don’t talk to him through a third party.

You know what's cool?  When Jesus died on the cross we were given direct access to the Most Holy Place.

Matthew 27:51, Then behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom…

I speak to the Lord on a daily basis, and He speaks back to me in various ways.  He directs my path.  He lets me know what and when I need to change.  He lets me know when He's pleased with me.  He lets me know what breaks His heart, and often it breaks mine as well.  He has given me personal promises, and these promises keep me from complaining, being afraid, and from being devastated.  Above all He lets me know that He loves me, as much as He loves Jesus, as much as He loves you.

“Gasp!  Did you say He loves us as much as Jesus?”

I sure did, because if He didn’t, Jesus would never have been given as the sacrifice for OUR sins so that we could see God.

You don’t have to go through a priest, or a pastor to hear from the Lord, their job is to teach the word of God (the whole word), perhaps to counsel, but not to be a liaison between you and Him.  

Because Jesus died for you, the veil was torn and you can have direct communication with God. He has lots to tell you if you are willing to listen to what He has to say.