With so much turmoil swirling around us today, do you ever find yourself crying out to God? What are you doing? Where are you God? Help us! Forgive us! Come and be King in this nation Father! This has certainly been a cry of my heart, to not only grow in greater intimacy with God, but to also sense the timing and season we are in and to know what He is saying.
If we ask He is faithful to come and answer. So recently during our Sunday worship I sensed Holy Spirit directing me to Psalm 24. Here we find God speaking through David, especially in verse 1 and 2, clearly reminding David of His glory, sovereignty and omnipotence over all creation. God is stating here that men may claim to have land and reign over their kingdoms, but He is the Lord and creator of all things - all creatures, all human beings, plants, trees, evergreens, gold, silver, cattle on a a thousand hills and the fish in the sea. He has created the earth and separated the waters from the land - He has built the hills and formed the mountains. He is King of the universe!
Clark's Commentary regarding this Psalm gives some historical insight stating that this Psalm was probably composed as the Ark was being carried from the house of Obededom to Mount Zion. It is suggested the questions spoken throughout may be directed at those who were to carry and minister before the Ark (the priests) and their character, with the last verses referring to the preparation to open the city gate so the Ark could enter.
Let's take a moment to read and soak up the uplifting words in this beautiful Psalm:
he earth is the Lord's and all it contains, the world and those who dwell in it. For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Thy face - even Jacob. Selah.
Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates, and lift them up O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! Who is the King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah. (NASB)
So how do we prepare to ascend into the hill of the Lord and prepare for His presence and blessing as we open the gate? We see some conditions expressed in verse 4 - "He who has clean hands and a pure heart - who has not lifted up his soul to falsehoods nor sworn deceitfully." I'm so thankful that God has provided a way through His Son, Jesus, and has cleansed me and made me righteous aren't you? So through salvation (the process of being delivered from all forms of evil) we have been positioned to walk with Him and be carriers of His presence. What a blessing that we can daily come to Jesus, examine ourselves, repent if needed and continue in our relationship with Him. It is His mercy that extends salvation to all men. And it is His resplendent and glorious mercy by which He sovereignly conforms us into His image compelling us toward obedience, holiness and fidelity. Our part is to simply surrender to Him.
What a great and captivating love He bathes you and me in each day. And isn't Psalm 24 a striking picture of what God is up to right now? In the midst of the evil that may swirl about, He is preparing His people to carry the Ark (His presence) while we surrender to the examination of our heart and motives, with prayer and repentance; as we prepare to open the gate to His people, cities, states and nations, so the King of glory may enter - reside and preside. God has positioned us on His highway of holiness (Isaiah 35:* preparing a purified and consecrated people to carry His presence into the land. So lift up your heads, O gates! God is coming to His temple (that's you) and He is calling upon His priests (that's also you) to prepare and get ready to open the gate and lift up the ancient doors. Here comes the King of glory - God is with you!
