The Holiest of Holies...

I lie upon my bed,
Trembling.
Lord, I enter this place,
Sacred and true.
Your presence penetrating me,
A place inside my heart.
Jesus, my high priest,
You’ve opened the way.
I kneel and cry,
Inside my mind.
I prostrate myself before your Throne,
Hiding under your wings.
I am surrounded with sadness, oh Lord,
It will not depart from me.
I am surrounded by suffering, oh Lord,
Always before my eyes.
It tears at my soul.
Heal them, oh Lord…
These precious little ones.
Heal him, oh Lord…
My son.
Relieve these besieged parents,
Who attempt to understand.

I enter the Holy of Holies,
I find You there.
I feel your touch,
Safe and peaceful.
Your tenderness surrounds me,
Anxiety and fear fade away.
Finally, sleep washes over me.
I will search for You again,
Tomorrow,
As I cross the threshold of…
The Holiest of Holies…

In ancient Jewish faith, there were two rooms to the tabernacle - the Holy Place and the Holiest of Holies. The Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat were housed in this sacred space, the Holiest of Holies. Because God’s Holy Presence was there, only the high priest was allowed to enter into the Holiest of Holies.

A gold, purple or red veil separated this place from the rest of the tabernacle. When the priest entered, he wore a beautiful breastplate embedded with twelve stones. Sown into the hem of his robe were silver bells that rang when he went behind the veil. The continuous ringing of the bells helped the people know that he was still alive, while he entered the Holy Presence of God.

In the Christian faith, Jesus Christ’s birth, death and resurrection has opened the way for all believers to enter into His throne room, to stand before God in the Holiest of Holies. I enter this place each night in my mind, heart and spirit.

This is how I sleep. This is how I cope.