Ex25:22 "And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the Mercy Seat..."
The Ark of covenant or testimony is a sacred object in ancient Israel. It was approximately 42 inches long and 27 inches wide.
The mercy seat covered the ark which contained the three emblems of man’s rebellion: the golden pot of manna—man’s rebellion against God’s provision, two tablets of stone on which God wrote the Ten Commandments—man’s rebellion against God’s standard, and Aaron’s rod—man’s rebellion against God’s authority.
Once a year on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would sprinkle the blood of the sacrificed animal on the mercy seat and so make propitiation for the sins of Israel.
Today, it is not the blood of animals that makes propitiation for our sins, but the holy blood of Christ.
Romans 3:24-25, "being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;.
His blood speaks for us and put God on our side. God does not see our rebellion. He sees the blood of His Son and accepts us!
Now, we can run to the mercy seat: "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16 KJV)
Do not allow the devil drive you into your past. If there is any battle I fought sternly as a believer, it is the battle of guilt and condemnation. Satan drove me into depression because I felt unworthy of God.
Thank God I won that battle by the word and the Spirit.
No matter how horrible your life is( past&present), God's mercy is available for you If you repent.
Religion will burden you with loads of guilt but Christianity will show you the way out of guilt. That's goodnews.
If God's word says you should come boldly(not out of religious piety)to the throne of grace to obtain mercy, that means mercy is available. Take advantage of it.
CONFESSION: My past is over in Christ. I receive cleansing for my sins and I appropriate the atoning work of Christ In Jesus name. Amen