Worship | Grandma's Ramblings

I’m sure many of you have heard the story behind this song “It Is Well.” But if you have not, here it is. It is an inspiring testimony of how God is present in the middle of our tragedies. That does not mean a Christian feels no pain, heartache, sorrow. Rather it proclaims that God is present with us and gives us the courage and strength we need to face the problems life sometimes brings us.

This song has been a great encouragement to me at different times in my life. If you are struggling with a problem, I hope it will also encourage you to look to God for the strength you need.

The writer of the hymn, Horatio Spafford, was a successful lawyer and real estate investor in Chicago. Along with his wife, Anna, and their five children they were active in service to their church and their community in Chicago. In 1871 their young son died of scarlet fever and the great Chicago fire destroyed their real estate properties living them in difficult financial circumstances.

Two years later, in 1873, the family planned a trip to Europe. When business required his presence in Chicago, he sent his wife and four daughters on to Europe. On the trip, the ship was struck by another ship and it sank. His wife was rescued, but all four daughters were lost.

Spafford booked a ship to Europe to join his wife. As the ship neared the place where his daughters had been drowned, he wrote the words of this song.

In good times and bad – blessed be the name of the Lord!

One of the most beautiful worship songs I know. Close your eyes and invite Jesus’ presence to fill your heart.

Here’s a old song sung by the man who wrote it. Hamblen was one of American’s “singing cowboys.” My parents loved Dale Evans and Roy Rogers.

This song, “How Big is God,” is one my husband has performed many times over the years. It has been one of his most requested. Hope you enjoy it!

I have been in a women’s Bible study looking at the Psalms. Last week we looked at the Thanksgiving Psalms. Included in the study was this nugget written by Andrew Murray, a South African pastor, writer and teacher. It was encouraging to me – I thought I would share.

“First, He brought me here. It is by His will I am in this strait place; in that fact I will rest.

Next, He will keep me herein His love and give me the grace to behave as His child. Then, He will make the trail a blessing, teaching me the lessons He intends me to learn and working in me the grace He means to bestow.

Last, in His good time He will bring me out again—-how and when He knows.

Let me say I am here,

• by God’s appointment,
• in His keeping,
• under His training,
• for His time.

Andrew Murray

We have examined the furnishings of the Holy Place. Now we look at the Most Holy Place.

The Most Holy Place was small, just 15 by 15 feet. There was a veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. This veil was woven from fine linen and made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn. Moses was instructed to have skilled craftsmen embroider figures of cherubim in the veil.

We first read about cherubim in Genesis where they were placed to guard the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve were evicted because of their disobedience. Ezekiel also mentions them in a vision. The creatures he describes are strange with four faces and attached wheels full of eyes. Could these be real creatures or only symbols? Some Bible scholars proposed that these were symbols showing God as all-wise, all-knowing, all-seeing. The fact that the wheels moved forward without turning express God’s righteousness and truth – he is faithful, never changing. However, we see similar creatures in Revelation that appear to be real beings that stand before the throne of God and worship him day and night.

Like the cherubim guarding the Garden of Eden, the cherubim in the veil appeared to be saying “You can come this far, but no further.”

Behind the veil was the Art of the Covenant. This was a box made from acacia wood 45 inches long, 27 inches wide and 27 inches high. Overlaid with gold, it was fitted with two pairs of gold rings with permanent poles inserted. When the Israelites moved, the poles were used for the priests to carry the ark. No one was to touch the ark because God had said His presence would dwell over the ark. (Exodus 25:22)

There has been much speculation through the years since the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, first by the Babylonians in 586 BC and later the Romans in 70 AD as to what happened the ark. Hollywood a few years ago made a movie called “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Totally nonsense.

The ark contained the two tablets of the Law that God had given Moses on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 25:16), Aaron’s rod that had budded (Numbers 17) and a jar of manna (Exodus 16). The Law stood for the covenant between God and the Israelites. The rod reminded the Israelites of the danger of rebellion against God. The jar of manna reminded them of God’s providence for them.

They were to make a cover for the ark of pure gold the same width and length as the ark. On that cover were a pair of cherubim. While no one knows exactly what the ark looked like, from the description in the Bible, artists have tried to imagine it.

The cover of the ark had two cherubim facing each other with their wings extended over the cover. The space between them was called the mercy seat. God said He would meet with them over the mercy seat.

The Hebrew word for this mercy seat is kapporeth. This word speaks of a sacrifice that reconciles and leads to peacemaking. Under the Law, the High Priest would enter the Most Holy Place only once a year where he made a sacrifice for the sins of the entire nation. Today, this special day is celebrated by the Jewish community. It is called “Yom Kippur” (Day of Atonement). This is the holiest day of the year in Judaism and is celebrated by making thing right (atonement) and repentance.

Think of the separation between God and the average person. Only the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and he could do so only one day a year. What a dilemma God told them to build a tabernacle because He wanted to dwell among them. Yet, because of man’s sinfulness and God’s holiness, they were limited in their relationship with Him.

What to do?

Enter Jesus. On His death, Matthew’s Gospel tells us the veil was torn in two. The way to God is now open for everyone.

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh.” Hebrews 10:19-20,

Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice, he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:11-14

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-

I am so thankful for what Jesus did for me. To know that I can enter confidently into His presence. To know I need no person to intercede to God for me. Jesus has opened the door and said, “Barbara, come on in. You are welcome!”

The door is open for everyone. John 3:16 tells us that “God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whosoever believes should not perish, but have everlasting life.”