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PRAYER FOR TODAY
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Friday October 25 - Access to the throne room
Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands... he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Hebrews 9:24
Last year King Charles III was crowned king of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, replacing his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, as monarch. You may have had the privilege of meeting the Queen during her long and illustrious reign but the nearest I ever got was as a schoolboy when a royal motorcade passed through our town. There to boost the numbers lining the route, I suddenly found myself thrust in front of the Queen’s car by a classmate. It was his idea of a prank. Fortunately, the cars were travelling very slowly and I was quickly able to get back on to the kerb in time.
Putting aside this amusing recollection, few people ever get to meet a monarch. This is usually the preserve of national leaders, ambassadors or those being honoured. We therefore understand the principle that royalty are inaccessible to most people.
Today’s Bible passage speaks of the ultimate ruler, God himself, but it also reminds us that without the atoning blood of Jesus to cover our sins he is unapproachable. The concept of heaven is sometimes bandied around quite casually as if it were a given that we will all one day be there. We won’t. Only through Jesus, who has approached God on our behalf, can we ever gain access into the domain of the ruler of all.
Father God, I humble myself before your sovereignty and thank you that I can approach your throne of grace through your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Saturday October 26 - Pay it forward
Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many... Hebrews 9:28
In a world of so much doom and gloom it’s always heartening to hear good news stories, such as about people who take pleasure in paying for the shopping of someone behind them in a supermarket queue or settling the bill of another diner at a restaurant.
Imagine having been the recipient of an act of kindness like this and then insisting on settling the payment yourself. Not only would your offer be turned down – the bill has been paid – but we’d consider it ridiculous. You can’t pay twice for the same thing. It’s sorted!
This preamble is all by way of underscoring the truth that the price Jesus paid for our sin was once and for all. Within this there are two truths, the first being that the price demanded by God to pay for our sin is beyond our ability to settle the account. Only Jesus could do this. The second truth is that, once Jesus had paid for our sin, no further payment would ever be required. All that God requires of us is to believe that Jesus has done this, and to receive forgiveness of our sin. No additional attempts to add to this atonement by our good works is necessary – just the requirement to live according to the righteousness that is now ours.
Father God, I bring nothing to the table but my recognition that Jesus paid the price for my sin. Thank you that he has done it all. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY