Andrew Murray: The Priesthood of the Believer Part 1

(exerpted from The Power of the Blood of Jesus)

THE RIGHT TO DWELL IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD.

Although this privilege belonged exclusively
to the priests in Israel, we know that they had
free access to the dwelling place of God. They
had to abide there continually. As members of
the household of God, they ate the shew-bread,
and partook of the sacrifices. A true Israelite
thought there was no higher privilege than this.
It is thus expressed by the Psalmist, "Blessed
-or happy-is the man whom thou choosest, and
causest to approach unto thee that he may dwell
in thy courts. We shall be satisfied with the
goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple"
(Ps. 65: 4).

It was because of the manifested presence of God
there that believers, in those old days, longed
after the house of God with such strong desire.
The cry was, "When shall I come and appear before
God (Ps. xlii. 2). They understood something of
the spiritual meaning of the privilege, "Drawing
near to God." It represented to them the enjoyment
of His love, and fellowship, and protection, and
blessing. They could exclaim, "Oh, how great is
thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that
fear thee; thou shalt hide them in the secret of
thy presence" (Ps. 31: 19,20).

The precious blood of Christ has opened the way
for the believer into God's presence; and
intercourse with Him is a deep, spiritual reality.
He who knows the full power of the blood is brought
so nigh that he can always live in the immediate
presence of God, and in the enjoyment of the
unspeakable blessings attached to it.

There, the child of God has the assurance of God's
love; he experiences and enjoys it. God Himself
imparts it. He lives daily in the friendship, and
fellowship of God. As God's child he makes known to
the Father, with perfect freedom, his thoughts and
wishes. In this intercourse with God he possesses
all that he needs; he wants no good thing.

His soul is kept in perfect rest and peace, because
God is with him. He receives all requisite direction
and teaching. God's eye is ever upon him, guiding him.
In intercourse with God, he is able to hear the softest
whispers of the Holy Spirit. He learns to understand the
slightest sign of his Father's will, and to follow it.
His strength continually increases, for God is his
strength, and God is ever with him.

Fellowship with God exercises a wonderful influence on
his life and character. The presence of God fills him
with humility, and fear, and a holy circumspection. He
lives as in the presence of a king. Fellowship with God
produces in him godlike dispositions. Beholding the image
of God, he is changed into the same image. Dwelling with
the holy One makes him holy. He can say, "It is good for
me to draw nigh to God (Ps. 72: 28).

O you who are the children of the New Covenant, have not
you a thousand times more reason to speak thus, now that
the veil has been rent asunder, and the way opened for
living always in God's holy presence? May this high
privilege awaken our desires. Intercourse with God;
fellowship with God; dwelling with God; and He with us:
may it become impossible for us to be satisfied with
anything less. This is the true Christian life.

But intercourse with God is not only so blessed because
of the salvation enjoyed in it, but also on account of
the service that may be rendered, because of that intercourse.


from chapter six
(continued tomorrow)


Andrew Murray
the priesthood of the believer