It is a dangerous thing to approach God casually. Early in Israel’s history, the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant. What was meant to be approached only once each year by the High Priest to make atonement for the sins of the whole nation, the people tried to use the Ark as a “secret weapon” against their enemies, so God allowed the Philistines to defeat them and capture the Ark. God also punished the Philistines, so they sent the Ark back to Israel. It was taken to the town of Beth Shemesh, a town given to the priests of Israel. There, 70 men looked into the Ark, and God struck them dead. The people responded, “Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God?” (1 Samuel 6:20).
Even though the nation of Israel had a heritage of experiencing the power of God – he rescued them from slavery in Egypt, provided for their needs in the wilderness, led them into and gave them the Promised Land – these Levites should have known better. As the men who served before God as Israel brought sacrifices and offerings in worship, they should have known that it is not an easy thing to approach Holy God. However, having experienced God’s power on their behalf, they and the people got too comfortable and treated him as “God in a box.”
Even when they led the people to approach God appropriately, they should have known, while it is simple to bring a sacrifice, that it must not be easy. God does not merely desire easy sacrifice to appease him, he “simply” desires our whole selves. That was the command: “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5). The Law was complicated in its details, but it was simple in its focus; love, worship, serve God with your whole self. God reminded the people of this through the prophets: “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6, ESV). It’s simple, not easy.
We find ourselves needing this reminder even today. Nearly 30 years ago, singer-songwriter Matt Redman wrote “The Heart of Worship,” a song about shedding all the unnecessary extras people have added to worship and getting back to the heart of it, Jesus. The song acknowledges that worship is not merely singing, that it’s a matter of bringing the whole of ourselves to God, even every breath. In part, the song is a repentant apology of making worship something other than wholly focused response to who God is and what he has done through Jesus.
Again, God has made it simple to approach him, though he did not make it easy. Paul told the early church that what had been “mysterious” in the past God made clear, “According to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” God made it simple to approach him through Jesus. However, Jesus it isn’t easy: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
The gospel is Good News! God made it possible to approach him through Jesus’ sacrifice, through his death, burial, and resurrection. The gospel is simple, but gospel life is not easy. As we approach God “with freedom and confidence,” we do it through daily sacrifice of ourselves – dying to ourselves, to our sins; burying our old, sinful selves with Christ; trusting God to raise us with Christ in new life. Paul tells us this is the heart of worship: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1). Church, let us approach God confidently, not casually. Serve and worship God with your whole self – heart, soul, mind, and strength. Gospel life is simple, even if it’s not easy, so help one another; pray for one another; love one another.