Minister Before the Lord

"But the priests the Levites... shall come near to me to minister unto me." - Ezekiel 44:15

One condition basic to all that can truly be called ministry to the Lord is that we draw near to Him. He desires our worship; yet how hard we find it to drag ourselves into His presence! We shrink from the solitude, and even when we do detach ourselves physically from outside things, we find our thoughts wandering back to them. Many of us can enjoy working among people in the outer court, but how many of us give time to draw near to God in the Holy Place?

To come into His presence and wait upon Him demands all the determination we possess, and even means that we may have to be violent with ourselves. But let me be frank with you; it is impossible to stand afar and yet minister to Him. You cannot serve God from a distance. In the outer court, quite rightly, you approach people; in the Holy Place you approach the Lord. Come nearer, It is your priviledge.

The Joyful Heart (Watchman Nee 主僕倪柝聲弟兄)

Read the Scriptures: Ezekiel 44