Teatime with God
Well-beloved by God, where does God tell us there is fullness of joy? Yes, it is in His presence that we encounter the true fullness of joy! God our Father is the source of joy. God tells us that He will fill us with joy in His presence!
In Old Testament times, being in God’s presence was left only for the priest and only after all the requirements of the law had been met and a sacrifice was offered to bring a sinner into God’s presence. As we live today under the New Covenant, we understand the requirements are fulfilled and Christ paid the price on the cross. As Paul said in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He paid the debt for our sin on the cross, was buried, and rose again on the third day.
Our Lord Jesus is alive and says to each of us: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20). Since Christ finished His work on the cross and His glorious resurrection, God invites us to now enter into His presence: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
Jesus is our mediator, granting us full access to the Father. He has opened the door to the very awesome, loving presence of God. It is in the righteousness of Christ that we now are invited to come and talk to our loving heavenly Father. It is in His presence that we find pleasures forevermore! Dearly beloved, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
One of our teenage daughters enjoys having a cup of tea every morning as she invests time with God praying and hearing His voice in the Word. A couple of weeks ago, I surprised her with a pretty teacup as a gift; she thanked me and said gladly: “Now I have a new cup for my ‘teatime’ with God every morning!” She looked at me with a smile and said, “Yes, I have tea with God every morning.” Have your “teatime” with God each day and let Him fill you with joy in His presence regardless of the circumstances!
Abba Father, I come to Your presence where there is fullness of joy. I present myself before You humbly. Please, speak to my heart and fill me with Your presence as I commit this time to You. Speak Lord, Thy servant listens. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.