how to approach Him

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I have a friend who told me about an experience he had while praying. He was in a rather depressed state of mind and began to complain about something related to God. Suddenly, he had a vision: a gigantic vertical wall of fire appeared before him, and he saw himself as a thin sheet of paper positioned parallel to this wall of fire. The sheet of paper was absorbed and annihilated by the extreme heat. My friend felt a brief but intense pain in his body. He only realized afterward that it had been a vision—although the pain was very real.

He interpreted this experience as a message from God, emphasizing His vastness—His indescribable magnitude—and reminding him that he is just a frail creature, like a leaf of paper, who should approach God with humility and reverence.

This attitude of reverence, which we all should have, seems to be fading in this century. And yet, it is still expected of us. Sitting while a prophet was delivering a message from God was considered inappropriate in the eyes of the Lord.

Consider this passage:

Ezekiel 14:1–3 (Idolatrous Elders Condemned)

“Then certain of the elders of Israel came to me and sat before me. And the word of the LORD came to me: ‘Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their hearts, and set the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces. Should I indeed let myself be consulted by them?’”

Standing to receive a divine message was considered proper—even by royalty. For example:

Numbers 23:18

“And Balaam took up his discourse and said,

‘Rise, Balak, and hear;

give ear to me, O son of Zippor.’”

Even Eglon, an enemy of Israel and therefore of Israel’s God, showed reverence when receiving a divine message:

Judges 3:20

“And Ehud came to him as he was sitting alone in his cool roof chamber. And Ehud said, ‘I have a message from God for you.’ And he arose from his seat.”

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