When We Enter the Sanctuary
Psalm 73:2–17 NIV
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence... Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments. If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children. When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply UNTIL I ENTERED THE SANCTUARY of God, then I understood...
If the people of God are going to persevere in the days of pain, we must be people who PRAY and PRAISE in God’s Presence!
To Persevere in the Day of Pain
1. The People of God Must Be a People of PRAYER
PRAYER is TALKING TO God, HEARING FROM God, and DECLARING THE KINGDOM of God.
Revelation 5:8 NIV
The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
Our prayers don’t evaporate – they accumulate.
Revelation 6:10-11 NIV
“How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth? Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer...”
There are 3 answers God gives to prayer – “YES,” “NO,” or “WAIT.”
Revelation 8:3-5 NIV
Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
Being a Christian means you are certain that your prayers are heard by God.
To Persevere in the Day of Pain
1. The People of God Must Be a People of PRAYER
2. The People of God Must Be a People of PRAISE
Eschatology without Doxology is Dead Theology.
PRAISE is singing out WHO HE IS, WHAT HE’S DONE, and WHAT’S YET TO COME.
Revelation 11:15 NIV
The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”
Praise doesn’t wait until it happens to thank God for it.
Psalm 103:1 NIV
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Sometimes you have to tell your soul to praise God
Maybe you made a decision to follow Jesus today, or maybe you’re curious what life with Him is all about. Wherever you are on your journey, we invite you to share with us so we can help you discover your next step.
