:: To Worship Him ::

 

 

   “When the prince enters, he shall go by way of the porch of the gate and go out by the same way.  But when the people of the land come before the Lord at the appointed feasts, he who enters by way of the north gate to worship shall go out by way of the south gate…No one shall return by way of the gate by which he entered but shall go straight out.”  (Ezekiel 46:8-10)

 

   God stressed to Ezekiel that the people of Israel were to leave the Temple area through a different gate than they had entered.  According to a traditional interpretation, God was saying that leaving through a different gate demonstrated that they had been changed by their encounter with Him.  They were different than when they entered because of His presence. 

 

   We would hope that rings true when we attend church services, prayer meetings or in our private prayer closet.  When we spend any time with God it should make an impact on our lives.  We should never remain status quo but leave a different person for the better.  When Moses had his encounter with the Lord, he was dramatically changed, so much that he had to cover his face with a veil.  (Exodus 34:29-35)  When we spend any time with the Lord, our faces should shine as well.  The opposite is to leave God’s presence without any significant changes, carrying the same burdens, plagued with the same problems, filled with the same fears, with no inspiration from His Word.  When there is not change, there is no victory, no gain, peace or joy. 

 

   In order to enjoy and benefit from our time spent alone with God, we must seek and look for the most intimate time and relationship with Him.  We must develop the closest friendship with our Lord, sharing our feelings and fears, and asking Him for help.  We need to expect change; and if we seek with all our heart, we surely will find Him waiting to bless us.