When You Come Into God’s Presence, Make It About Him—Not About You!

There is a powerful and often overlooked truth hidden in God’s instructions for the Tabernacle, and it speaks volumes to us about how we approach His presence today. In Exodus 30:9-10 (NLT), the Lord commanded:

“Do not offer any unholy incense on this altar, or any burnt offerings, grain offerings, or liquid offerings. Once a year Aaron must purify the altar by smearing its horns with blood from the offering made to purify the people from their sin. This will be a regular, annual event from generation to generation, for this is the Lord’s most holy altar.”

The altar in question is the altar of incense—that golden altar that stood just before the veil inside the Holy Place, closest to the Ark of the Covenant. And here’s the remarkable thing: God forbade any sacrifices—no burnt offerings, no grain, no drink offerings—on this altar. Why?

The Outer Court Is Where Sacrifice Happens

The Tabernacle had two altars for very distinct purposes:

• The bronze altar in the outer court was for sacrifices—the place where sin was dealt with, where blood was shed, where atonement was made. This is where access to God’s presence was secured.
• The altar of incense was inside, near to God’s presence, representing worship, prayer, intercession—the sweet aroma of fellowship rising continually before Him.

The outer court is where the price was paid. The inner sanctuary is where relationship happens.

When You Come Into God’s Presence Stop Talking About Your Shortcomings And Your Sin—And Start Worshipping Him!

God’s command regarding the altar of incense reveals something we need to grasp deeply. The reason no sacrifices were to be made there is because this altar represents your worship and prayer life before God.

This is the place that the Lord invites you to meet with Him!

“Place the incense altar just outside the inner curtain that shields the Ark of the Covenant, in front of the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—that covers the tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant. I will meet with you there.” Exodus‬ ‭30‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The blood sacrifice that gives you access to His presence has already been offered at the bronze altar. Once you come in, it’s not the time or place to keep rehearsing your sins, your shortcomings, or your unworthiness. This is the place to lift your eyes off yourself and focus completely on who He is.

Hebrews 4:16 (NLT) says:

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

And Hebrews 10:19-22 tells us that we enter boldly because of the blood of Jesus.

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭19‬-‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The blood has opened the way—so that your time in His presence isn’t about your failure; it’s about His worth. It’s about worship. It’s about making it all about Him.

The Pattern Still Speaks

The altar of incense is a beautiful picture of what our prayer life should be: not filled with fear, guilt and shame, but filled with worship, adoration, boldness and intimacy. The cross (the bronze altar) has taken care of your sin once and for all. Now, come near. Lift up your heart. Let your prayers rise like incense (Psalm 141:2). Make it about Him—His glory, His goodness, His faithfulness.

The Lord said this altar was most holy (Exodus 30:10). Why? Because when our worship is purified, when it’s no longer about us but about Him, that’s where His presence dwells in power.

Come Boldly. Worship Freely. Make It All About Him.

Today, because of Jesus, the veil is torn. You are invited to come boldly, not dragging the weight of sin, but offering the incense of praise. The sacrifice has already been made. Now, come on in and worship the King!

When we come into God’s presence and worship the King, something powerful happens. In His presence is fullness of joy! (Psalms 16:11)

This is where we hear His voice, where we receive fresh strength, and where a divine exchange takes place — our weakness for His power, our heaviness for His joy. In His presence, we see God as He really is, and we begin to see ourselves as He sees us: loved, accepted, chosen, and empowered.

The Bible says, “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:16, NLT). “Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces” (Psalm 34:5, NLT). This is the miracle of worship — we are changed in His presence.