The high priest would go into the Holy of Holies once a year with a bell and a rope tied behind him. This was necessary because unholy things or people could not come before the presence of a Holy God – and live. This was true then, as it is now. The bell ringing was to signify the priest was still alive, and the rope was to pull him out if he had died. Notice how that to get into God’s presence, you have to be called (in this case, a priest), be sanctified (purge yourself of sin), and empowered (permitted to live). But as Jesus died for us, the veil was torn and now you and I can come boldly to the presence of God (without a priest), to obtain mercy. Now it’s just you and God.
Independence to Interdependence
The tragedy of today’s world lies in the fact that people stagnate once they get to an independent state. Hence the pride extolled when someone exclaims: “I am an independent man or woman.” God bless you, as there is nothing wrong with this achievement. But there is a higher state yet to get to. A state of interdependence. A state where you choose to work with others stemming from your independence. So you act and interact, but you never place your faith on the arm of flesh because you realize that at the end of the day, it’s just you and God.
At the End of the Day
On the judgement day, your dad, mom, sister, coach, spouse, pastor, doctor, girlfriend won’t be able to stand for you. It will be just you and God as you give account of your life. This positure helps you forgive others, and avoid putting any human on a pedestal. It’s not and cannot be the guy who broke your heart who is to blame for your life’s ills. It can’t be the relative who refused you a loan. It certainly isn’t the job that rejected your application, or the teacher who prophesied doom on you. At the end of the day, it’s just you and God. And God will never forsake you nor will He fail you.
Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
Jeremiah 17:5