HEBREWS 9:1-12… “Now even the first covenant had regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the sacred bread; this is called the holy place. Behind the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant; and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat; but of these things we cannot now speak in detail.”
“Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests are continually entering the outer tabernacle performing the divine worship, but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing, which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly, both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation.But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”
Oh God, my Heavenly Father, holy and exalted be Your name! I come to You in prayer by the authority of Your Son, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and in His name I now stand before You in this spiritual place, this place in my heart, wherein I fall to my knees and bow before you in worship. I beseech You, Father, by Your Spirit moving through Your living and active word, to grace me with the knowledge of truth I need to be transformed by the renewing of my mind so that, in this mortal body that You’ve given me, I can demonstrate and exemplify what Your will is—that which is good and acceptable and perfect. I know that I often fail You in that mission and purpose, and that my worship, like every other aspect of my life, falls so short of Your glory. I have no goodness, or righteousness, or devotion, or even the slightest inkling of perfection, in and of myself, with which to come before You or to offer up to You as a sacrifice of praise. The only righteousness or goodness that I can claim and can offer up to You as worship is that with which You have already clothed me—the righteousness of Your only begotten Son, Jesus, Who took all my sin upon Himself and gave me His holiness in exchange. He is my sin offering, my guilt offering, my peace offering, my most holy sacrifice unto You and I worship and praise You in accordance with that eternal truth. Oh God, In recognition of Who You are and all that You’ve done for me, I lift my body, my heart, my mind, my soul, my very life to You in gratitude, devotion, and praise. May my life reflect the love that You’ve shown to me and may I become a living and holy sacrifice unto You each and every day that I live… now, and unto eternity.
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