"The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous" (Prov. 15:29).
Among all the blessings given to the righteous—peace, victory over sin, healed relationships, comfort, wisdom, clarity of conscience—the greatest is restored communion with God. Our Creator is the source of life, peace, and contentment. Without Him, all is lost. Those who have not been reconciled to God through the work of Christ are plagued with fear, insecurity, and despair, having no intimate communion with their Maker.
Man was created to be in fellowship with God, but sin has destroyed that fellowship. Adam once walked in the garden with the Lord, enjoying His divine presence, basking in His radiance and love. But when sin entered his heart, Adam hid from the Lord, covered his nakedness with leaves, and desperately tried to cover his shame. Because of sin, Adam was banished from intimate communion with God. He left the Holy of Holies to toil in a lonely world.
But God showed him mercy. God promised that a way would be made to restore the communion that had been lost. God initiated this act of mercy because of His abounding love. He set a people apart for Himself, called them Israel, pitched His dwelling place among them, and gave them His perfect law. But even in this blessed arrangement, communion was not fully restored. The Holy of Holies remained barricaded from the common man. Only the high priest could enter into that place, and then just once a year. A heavy veil and a complex system of sacrifices stood between the people and the glorious presence of the Lord.
With the coming of Christ, and with His sacrifice and resurrection, that veil was ripped. The Lord once again dwelled among His people, not in a temple made of stone, but in their hearts. No longer did a veil separate the people from their Lord, but a way was opened that they, too, might enter the Holy of Holies. Because of Christ, we have the “confidence to enter the Most Holy Place.” Communion has been restored. Once again, we can step into the glories of Eden and eat of the tree of life. We can “draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith” (Heb. 10). The righteous are not those who shrink back in fear and are destroyed because of their sin, but they are those who believe in Christ and are saved.
How should this restoration of intimate communion with the Lord affect your prayers? Do you realize the awesome privilege of prayer? If you have trouble praying, meditate on God as your Father, as the One who loves you and wants you to fellowship with Him. Go to Him today.
