Yes, the Psalms!

Many of which begin “far away” from God, experientially “out of fellowship” with Him.

But these same Psalms (as a pattern) conclude with man (the Psalmist) being “lifted up,” being “restored” to sweet fellowship with his God, with our God!

Psalm 13 is a good example.

Verse 1, David feeling “forsaken” of God! Clearly our of Touch/Tune with the Almighty! “How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?” Psalm 13:1

But look at the Psalm’s conclusion, godly fellowship again being richly enjoyed! “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.” Psalm 13:5-6, its ending!

Dozens of Psalms follow this paradigm!

Even the little Book of Jonah, as a matter of fact, fulfills this pattern!

From the belly of the whale, the depths of the wild (rebellious) sea! “Out of the fish’s belly! Out of the belly of Hell. Thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight.” Jonah 2:1-4, part of the King James Text. Out of fellowship, clearly!

But watch now … “Then I (Jonah) said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy Holy Temple.” The Temple, the place of Communion with God! “When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine Holy Temple.” Jonah 2:7, near the end of that great chapter! “With God, via humble, repentant prayer!”

Back into sweet Friendship, Fellowship with His Lord!

And folks, that is too the trajectory of Leviticus! From forgiveness of sin (the various “Offerings” enumerated and detailed in Leviticus’ opening chapters) all the way to the Day of Atonement in mid-Book, chapter 16! Blood sacrifice … making possible Face-to-face Relationship with the Lord!

Close, unimpeded, uninterrupted Fellowship with God Himself!

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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