The Vine - FastingSample

Devotion: During the Temple period, descendants from the tribe of Aaron served as priests, and they alone would minister to The Lord on behalf of the Israelites. The temple had an inner room called the Holy of Holies where the Ark of the Covenant was kept, which was the physical dwelling place of the Presence of The Lord. The outer courts of the temple, the temple itself, the curtained off inner room, and the Holy of Holies containing the enclosed ark were an ordained, escalating way of security to ensure that sinful people would not be struck dead by the holiness of God. The Holy Of Holies was only accessed once a year by a priest who spent a prolonged period of cleansing to ensure his sin was addressed, yet he still had to carry a blood sacrifice with him just in case. The death and resurrection of The Son of God meant that he was the ultimate sacrifice that serves as the one and only possible means of which the sins of all mankind were forgiven. Christ’s resurrection now becomes the fulfillment of the temple. Therefore, our confidence is that we have been qualified by the cross to be the very carrier and dwelling place of The Kingdom of God, who’s presence now resides within us! Reflection: How can I re-align my thoughts and heart with Christ’s via the Holy Spirit? When considering any current struggles, how can “drawing near to the throne of grace in confidence” affect those situations? Prayer: Jesus, thank you that because of your sacrifice, I am now a temple of the Holy Spirit, The Kingdom of God is within me and I can approach the throne of grace with confidence and expectation that I will receive all that I need, for every situation that occurs.