The priests which Ezekiel mentions, take great discipline and preparation to please God.
In compliance with His command, they clothe themselves in holy robes of the fairest linen. They make ready for drawing near His holy Presence.
Just so, I must be willing to take time and effort in my
worship. Every day, I must pass into my sacred shrine to be with
God.
With a set purpose, I must take off my earthly garments, and put
on my sacred dress.
I have to hush myself into quietness. I have to beseech the Holy Spirit for His empowerment.
I have to steadfastly study the majesty, the purity, and the
grace
of the God to Whom I come.
Much mental concentration is required of me. A sincere and honest heart is also required.
I am called to earnest contemplation and prayer.
When the service of the priests is over in the inner sanctuary,
they divest themselves of the robes of whiteness in which they
stood before the Lord.
They do not show themselves to the people
in a garb so venerable. God keeps something to Himself, something
which shall be known only to His servants and to Him.
Just so, I cannot disclose everything in my secret place with
others.
There are heights and depths in the truth I am
being taught, in the mercy I have received--which I do
not yet comprehend, and over which I shall have to ponder all my
life long.
And I ought not to disclose everything. To unveil my most sublime
spiritual experiences, will injure me.
It would lessen humility, and foster pride. It would rub the delicate bloom from off my character.
It would make my secret place a beaten path. My sanctuary clothing is not for the public outer court.
Yet mine is a God who is never distant and inaccessible.
The
priests of old, left the shrine and went out into the world.
But the
Lord abides in the Holy Place still.
We need only to return, and to clothe
themselves anew in our holy vestments, and we will find Him
the same as before--a God Who rejoices to hear our cry, Who delights in our sincere, yet poor and
disappointing services, Who will lift up His countenance on us and give
us peace.
When I call upon Him, withdrawing myself from all others and all
else--He is near as my strong Refuge and and my ever-present Help in
times of trouble.
The doors of His Holy Place are never barred;
and, within the doors, His gracious welcome awaits me.
May He be the Temple that is the dearest spot on earth to
me.
May I be priest to serve Him day and night.
May I be priest to serve Him day and night.
Psa 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
~Alexander Smellie~
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