Today’s Key Scripture

“Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.”

— Hebrews 7:25-27

The Most Holy Place was hidden by a veil. No one was permitted to enter except the high priest, and even he could enter only once a year, on the Day of Atonement. It was in the Most Holy Place where once a year the high priest entered in to intercede for the children of Israel. It was here that he offered the blood of the sacrifices for himself and for the sins and errors of God’s people.

Intercession, the deepest form of prayer, took place there, and for believers, the Most Holy Place is the most intimate place of partnership with God. And in heaven today Christ Jesus still intercedes for you and me.

To understand what Hebrews 7 means by “the uttermost,” imagine you lost something especially valuable. You would literally turn the place upside down in an effort to find and recover it. You would be wholehearted and zealous.

It is with that uttermost level that Christ makes intercession for us, and it is that intense intimacy we are called to. God has given us access to the Most Holy Place!

The power of effective prayer and intimate communication with our Lord should not be underestimated. God most definitely listens to our prayers, answers our prayers, and moves in response to our “uttermost” prayers.

 

A Prayer for Today

O Lord, thank You for building depth in me, often when I can’t see all that You are doing. Sometimes I see things only on the surface, but I believe You are doing a deep work in me. I humbly bow before You asking for Your tender mercy and love. Thank You for Your promise of forgiveness and restoration, even though I am so undeserving in myself. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins and shortcomings. Grant that I may increasingly live pleasing in your sight—asking, seeking, and knocking—while giving all glory to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

*All Scripture references are NKJV unless otherwise noted.