One of the main symbols of the presence of God in Scripture is the Holy of Holies, or the Holy Place.

The tabernacle of God was divided into three segments: the outer courts, the inner court and, finally, the Holy Place.

The Holy Place was where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. The ark represented God's presence in Israel. Only the high priest was permitted to enter the Holy Place, and then only once a year.

Entering the Holy Place was most serious for the high priest. Before he entered it, the other priests attached a bell to his robe and tied a rope around his ankle (Ex. 28:34-35). The tinkling of the bell let them know the high priest was still alive as he performed his duties in the Holy Place.

Bearing all this in mind, it makes Hebrews 10:19 sound downright shocking: "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus...."

What is God saying here? He is telling us that, in Jesus, we can enter the Holy Place where the presence of God is; and we can do it, not with fear and trembling, but with boldness!

What gives us the right to enter God's presence with such boldness? The blood of Jesus. His blood cleanses us and sanctifies us, making us as worthy to enter God's presence as Jesus Himself.

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
(Eph. 2:13)

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us for all sin.
(1 John 1:7)

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood....
(Rev. 1:5)

When I go into my prayer closet, one of the first things I do is thank God for the blood of Jesus. I say:

Father, I thank You for the blood of Jesus. I thank You that by His blood, I have the right to enter Your presence. I thank You that through His blood I have forgiveness of sin. I thank You that the blood of Jesus cleanses me from all unrighteousness and from an evil conscience. I thank You that because of the blood of Jesus I am successful in everything I do.

When you praise and thank God for the blood of Jesus, boldness begins to rise up within you. You gain the confidence to enter the Holy Place by reminding yourself of what Jesus' blood has done to you and for you.

This boldness is one of the key characteristics of those who abide in the presence of God.

Source: Answers Awaiting in the Presence of God by Creflo A. Dollar, Jr.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers