November 20, 2017 - - Psalm 99:1-3 Sinners and the Mercy Seat
/The LORD reigns;
Let the peoples tremble!
He dwells between the cherubim;
Let the earth be moved!
The LORD is great in Zion,
And He is high above all the peoples.
Let them praise Your great and awesome name--
He is holy.
Psalm 99:1-3
What does it mean that "He dwells between the cherubim"?
In the Old Testament times the LORD commanded that an Ark of the Testimony would be constructed. This was a box made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. In it was kept: a jar of manna, a staff that had budded and proved the leadership of Aaron as priest and the stone tablets that had the Ten Commandments written on it.
The Ark of the Testimony was topped with gold and two cherubim, warrior angels, who facing each other had their wings outstretched to cover the top of the Ark of the Testimony. They looked down onto the top of the Ark of the Testimony and that place they were looking was called: The Mercy Seat. It was the very place where God, the Holy One, lived among His people.
The Ark of the Testimony showed the LORD as: Law-Giver (by way of the Ten Commandments), as Leader-Judge (by way of a dead walking stick that had budded and produced almonds in one night); and Shepherd Who feeds His flock (the jar of manna).
Now the Mercy Seat is in heaven. Jesus sits on the Mercy Seat at the Father's right hand. He fulfilled the 10 commandments perfectly. He went to the cross in our place. Jesus the perfect one bearing the punishment for our sins so that we would be counted as holy before God. He feeds us with His Word and directs us by His Spirit.
Today, if you are aware of your sins and how your mind and heart are rebellious against God, go to the Mercy Seat. Pray to Jesus and ask His forgiveness. Ask for the strength to turn from sin and walk in obedience to the Bible.
Jesus, Friend of Sinners, great and glorious is Your Name! Who is like You? By Your blood our sins are forgiveness. By Your mercy, we are presented to God as beloved sons and daughters. By Your leadership we are directed in holy paths. By Your Word and Spirit we are fed with the bread of heaven. Blessed be the Father Who gives us such a Savior!
Blessed be Jesus, the Savior, Who pours out the Spirit so that prodigals can find their way home.
Blessed be the Spirit Who leads our wayward feet home and directs us to the Mercy Seat, the place of prayer and blessing. Amen.
