Spirit
In Spirit and in Truth
Moses warned the people of Israel not to transgress and go up before
the Lord in their
back-slid condition, Numbers 14:42. They had not repented for their
dishonor, trustless and faithless actions. Yet they sought God's
intervention. "Go not up, for the Lord is not among you, that you be
not struck down before your enemies."
In order to enter into communion with the Lord, that He might
inhabit our worship, we must come before him with a humble and
contrite (i.e. sorrowful, apologetic) heart.
To enter into His presence where there is joy, peace, protection and
prosperity, we have to recognize that we have all sinned and need
His forgiveness. We don't walk around with our heads down, for we
are not pitiful. Our sins are. But when we approach the throne in
prayer, with tears and a soft heart; we must come knowing the Father
is Holy, and therefore we go carefully.
We are sinners covered by grace and mercy, and by the blood of
Christ only can we begin to walk into His presence when He is not
pleased. Isaiah 57:15, "Father, forgive me and revive me again."
"For thus says the high and lofty One--He Who inhabits eternity,
Whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, but with him
also who is of a thoroughly penitent and humble spirit, to revive
the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the thoroughly
penitent (bruised with sorrow for sin),