Tuesday, March 24, 2015

holiness on my mind

“You shall make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet, Holy to the Lord.’ And you shall fasten it on the turban by a cord of blue. It shall be on the front of the turban. It shall be on Aaron's forehead, and Aaron shall bear any guilt from the holy things that the people of Israel consecrate as their holy gifts. It shall regularly be on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord."
Exodus 28:36-38

The High Priest in ancient Israel wore a constant reminder of his task to intercede for Israel on His forehead. On his turban, tied with an azure cord, was the golden plate inscribed with a strong reminder: Holy to the LORD. When Aaron began his day at the tabernacle, this reminder jolted him as he carefully donned priestly vestments. And with each offering and sacrifice, he was deemed able to offer to God for the people only BECAUSE that holy reminder was on his forehead. The priests were to be hyper aware of God's holiness.

The symbolism of that holy reminder of God's holiness on the head of the high preist is instructive on how much we should value God's holiness. Holiness was literally on the head of the priest. Shouldn't God's holiness be always on our minds? Are we aware of the power, greatness, holiness and majesty of our God? If we are, it is impossible to yawn ourselves awake and go through just the dull motions of a lukewarm faith!

As I contemplate this, an old worship song comes to mind:
When I look into Your holiness
When I gaze into Your loveliness
When all things that surround
Become shadows in the light of You
When I've found the joy of reaching Your heart
When my will becomes enthralled in Your love
When all things that surround
become shadows in the light of You
I worship You, I worship You
The reason I live
Is to worship You.

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