THE MERCY SEAT
There remains one more, the final stage on the straight line from the gate inwards; it is at or before the mercy seat.
Only part of the symbolism need we touch at present to complete this line; the rest will be better examined when dealing with the entire chapter Ex. 25. One expression in verse 22 will be sufficient. "And there I will meet with thee, and commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony.”
Many thoughts are gathered here, but it is chiefly that of communion which relates to our present object at this blessed end of the straight line.
Christ is the ark. Christ is the mercy seat to us now. It is by Him that we are brought to this place of unmeasured blessing; but the blessing itself is that here on earth—it all stood on the bare ground—we are not only made nigh to God, but in that nearness, moral closeness to Him, we are permitted to speak to Him, and also to learn His mind by his own communications to us personally. Think of the grace of the words "I will commune with thee." Harmony has been established, we are reconciled to God by the death of His Son, partakers of the divine nature, and God says, "I will commune with thee." He tells us, "in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God," Phil. 4:66Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6). That will be our speaking to Him. Do we speak to Him in the simplicity that marks that wonderful verse? It is not a question of things about which He has graciously given us promises, but it is "in everything.... let your requests be made known." There is no desire arises in your heart, but He encourages you to tell it to Him. He does not tell you He will give you everything you ask, but He does tell you to make all your desires known to Him. He assures you that then His peace shall keep your heart and mind, and that is surely enough.
Again, "if any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not," James 1:55If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5). Here is a particular want, viz., wisdom; and you are told to ask for it, "and it shall be given him.”
These are direct injunctions to constant prayer, and to constant thanksgiving. What communion of heart they imply, and involve, and encourage.
And in a scene of trial and opposition and pitfalls, what is there that our infirmity more needs than the precious liberty of access to God's own heart? "I will commune with thee." Then let us come boldly unto the throne of grace; the Spirit helpeth our infirmities; we may and can speak to our God and Father, and He in His own time and way will give His own answer of peace. "He withdraweth not His eyes from the righteous;" they "run to and fro throughout the whole earth" for us, and He makes "all things work together for good to them that love Him.”
Such is Christian blessing to-day.
I close this line of illustration with the remark, that while the stages on this straight line are consecutive, both in the material arrangement of old, and in their moral nature for us, yet so soon as grace carries a soul through the brazen altar, it is at once entitled to the privileges of the priesthood with a rent veil; to enter, and draw near, and worship, and know the unspeakable joy of standing at the mercy seat, in the liberty that begets reverence, and that rests in "the peace that passeth understanding.”
Attainment and growth in grace, are our sure experience, but largely dependent upon the absoluteness of our faith first, that our privileges are an unconditional gift of God, so assured in Christ that nothing can impair them to us for evermore. It is the settled joy of this that moves our hearts, and we cultivate the joy afresh and are more deeply moved still, and this increasingly, until the Lord comes.