Imagine walking into a sacred place where the very presence of God awaits you. It’s more than just a casual meeting—it’s a divine appointment. The Bible shows us that these encounters with God aren’t just random moments but are deeply intentional. Let’s explore how we can meet with God, the significance of these meetings, and what it means for our lives today.
When the Israelites approached God in the wilderness, they didn’t just stumble upon Him. No, they were called to meet Him at a very specific place—the Blood-stained Mercy Seat (Exodus 25:22; 30:6, 36). This was the most sacred spot in the entire Tabernacle, where the High Priest would enter only once a year to offer a sacrifice for the sins of the people. It was a place of mercy, where God’s holiness met human sinfulness. When we think about meeting God, we too must consider the significance of the place. The Mercy Seat represents Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. It’s the only place where we can truly meet God—through the blood of Jesus. This teaches us that approaching God requires a recognition of our need for His mercy and the understanding that it’s only through Christ’s sacrifice that we can come into His presence.
Meeting God is not a physical location but a spiritual posture.
But the beauty of this encounter doesn’t stop at the location. It’s about the Person we are meeting—God Himself (Exodus 19:17). Think about that for a moment. We are invited to meet the Creator of the universe! This isn’t some distant deity but a personal, loving God who desires to meet with us. When the Israelites met God at Mount Sinai, they experienced His power, majesty, and holiness. Yet, in Christ, we are invited into an even more intimate meeting. We meet God not in fear and trembling but in love and grace. Whether through prayer, worship, or reading His Word, we have the privilege of encountering God every day. It’s a reminder that our relationship with God is not about rituals but about a personal, living connection with Him.
Now, what happens when we meet Jesus with praise, as the people did in John 12:13? They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting, “Hosanna!” Meeting Jesus with praise is more than just singing songs on a Sunday morning. It’s about recognizing who He is and responding to Him with our whole hearts. When we praise Jesus, we are declaring His kingship over our lives. We are aligning ourselves with His purposes and acknowledging that He is worthy of our adoration. Praise shifts our focus from our circumstances to Christ, reminding us of His sovereignty and goodness. It prepares our hearts to receive from Him and to walk in His ways.
Meeting God is not a once-in-a-lifetime event but a daily invitation to come before Him.
Looking forward, we’re also called to go out and meet the Bridegroom, as seen in the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1, 6. This parable is a picture of readiness and anticipation. The Bridegroom represents Jesus, and we are the ones waiting for His return. The question is, are we ready to meet Him? This isn’t just about being prepared for the end times but about living in a state of readiness every day. Are we living in a way that honors Him, with our lamps filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit? Going out to meet the Bridegroom is about being spiritually vigilant, living in expectation of Christ’s return, and allowing that hope to shape our daily lives.
Finally, let’s consider the incredible promise that one day we will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). This is the ultimate meeting with Christ, where we will be united with Him forever. The thought of this should fill us with hope and anticipation. It’s a reminder that no matter what we face in this life, we have a glorious future awaiting us. This future meeting with the Lord motivates us to live faithfully now, knowing that our present struggles are temporary and that we have an eternal reward with Him.
Meeting God is a central theme throughout the Bible. Whether it’s through the symbolism of the Mercy Seat, the anticipation of meeting the Bridegroom, or the hope of being caught up in the air, each encounter reminds us of God’s desire to be with His people. Our response should be one of readiness, praise, and joyful anticipation of the day we will be united with Christ forever. So, let’s live each day with the awareness that we are invited into the presence of God, both now and for eternity.
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