February 17

And I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony; I will speak with you about all that I command you regarding the Israelites. — Exod 25:22 BSB

After a child of God has experienced some of the goodness and mercy of God revealed in the face of His Son, they may wander away from these mercies, leaving behind the rich pastures of the gospel and ending up in a barren wilderness, where there is neither food nor water. Yet, despite their spiritual starvation, they often find themselves powerless to return. What typically brings them to this state? Forgetting the mercy seat and gradually drifting away from the Lord, who meets His people there.

But in time, the Lord seeks out His wandering sheep, and the first place He brings them is back to the mercy seat, where they confess their sins and seek mercy. True to His word, the Lord meets them there once again. Oh, what a meeting it is! A penitent backslider and a forgiving God! A guilty soul, overwhelmed with tears, embraced by a loving Father! What a moment for a self-condemned soul who mourns deeply over their sins, yet finds grace far exceeding their failures, as the love of God breaks through like the sun on a cloudy day, melting their heart into repentance and love.

But the Lord sometimes goes further, showing His people the depth of their own sinful hearts. By His Spirit and grace, He removes the veil of pride and self-righteousness that hides so much of their sinfulness. He reveals the deep corruptions that lie within, the filth and folly that are part of their very nature, the unutterable baseness and vileness of their hearts. This can drive them away from the throne of grace, feeling, “Can God dwell here? Can I truly fear God when my mind is filled with such terrible thoughts and feelings?”

Yet, despite these feelings, they are still drawn to the throne of grace to confess their sins because they cannot and dare not stay away. And once again, God is faithful to His word: “There I will meet with you.” There, He reveals His mercy and goodness once more, showing that no matter how sinful the believer may feel, He remains faithful to His promises.