"And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart...And when they came unto the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God." (I Chronicles 13:7,9-10)

Under the law you could not approach the presence of God any way or any time you wanted. Through the centuries of the law, God was establishing His holiness. He was made approachable but only by the high priest and only once a year and only through complete consecration.

Under the law, the reverence for God's presence was established. The Hebrews called Him the terrible God, making reference to the honor that He was due. Even His enemies feared Him because of how mighty His hand went out in battle. It was surely with this instilled reverence that Paul writes in Philippians 2:12, "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling", for Paul was well aware that our God is a holy God and is to be honored in reverence, but he also knew of His grace found in Jesus Christ. Paul would also write to us that it is "by grace that you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast". (Ephesians 2:8-9) Paul, being a Hebrew amongst Hebrews, knew all too well how priceless is our salvation. He had such reverence for the Lord that he knew if it were not for His grace we could not reach Him, but by His grace we can "come boldly unto His throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need". (Hebrews 4:16)

Where, under the law, Uzza, a righteous man, accidentally touches God's presence and is instantly judged with death; we, through grace, can intentionally come boldly into His very throne room and obtain mercy and find grace.

This is what makes the story of the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5) so incredible. Jesus declared himself to be the fulfillment of the law (Matthew 5:17).  For this reason, this woman is able to reach out to the very presence of God that would have sentenced her to an instant death under the law, but because of Jesus' fulfillment of the law she could once again approach God. Through Christ man was made able to once again walk with God through the cool of the day as Adam did. Through Christ the lepers are not cast out, but are called in and made whole. Through Christ the unrighteous can reach out and touch the very throne of God and receive mercy and forgiveness instead of judgment and death. Through Christ God can again be touched! This woman, by faith, claimed the healing that is in His wings. (Malachi 4:2)

No matter your condition, through Christ, you can touch God. Reach out and touch Him today, He longs for your embrace.