Good morning. May God’s blessings be rich and full within you today, a day of worship and praise!
Please consider with me a Psalm of worship, Psalm 24, which is a Psalm of David.
The earth is the Lord‘s and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein,
2 for he has founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
David begins by establishing God’s sovereignty, His awesome place at the pinnacle of all that is, for He is the Creator!
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
This is the significant question: Who is worthy to climb to the peak of the mountain where lies Jerusalem and Ark of God’s covenant? Who is worthy to come to the Ark and stand in the presence of His holiness? For us, the question continues in this way: who is ready for worship? Who is prepared to enter into his presence, for when we are gathered together, He is with us.
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
This is the answer. The one who is worthy is the one who is made pure. It is the one who is steadfast in embracing our Christ, for Jesus is truth.
5 He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Who is worthy? The one made righteous. 2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us that in Christ, we are righteous, for God made Him who knew no sin to become sin that we would become the righteousness of God.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah
The children of the covenant are those who are made righteous and therefore, worthy. Who are they? Through Christ, all who believe in Christ Jesus and have accepted His grace for our salvation are the children of Abraham, children of the covenant.
7 Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
This is a word picture of worshipers approaching the city of Jerusalem that they may enter and come into God’s presence for worship. He is saying: “You sentries, open the gates! We are here to celebrate the glory of the King!
8 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle!
9 Lift up your heads, O gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory! Selah
Who is our glorious King? He is our God who wins for us every victory, even the victory over death itself! The command to “lift your heads” is one to express joy at the coming of the King. Remember, these words are written by king David. Was he speaking of himself? Of course not! He is identifying himself as one among the worshippers who have come to joyously celebrate the King of Kings, our Lord!
Worship well today as we enter the gates with thanksgiving and praise!
Vern