Psalm 24:1–6 “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. 3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? 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. 5 He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.”
The first thing that jumps from the passage is that EVERYTHING - the earth and and ALL that is in it, including every living creature that dwells on the earth - it ALL belongs to the Lord.
If we want to observe just how far mankind is from a right understanding of God, reflect upon the fact that everything you possess and everyone that you know is here because of God. Through common grace He has made us, each and everyone. Any other belief system is false. God is your Maker.
Next we see that everything that He owns is founded and established on the rivers and oceans - on creation! He is the God of all creation! And creation declares the glory of God.
Now we come to the portion of the passage where we can give a SHOUT to the Lord!
The psalmist asks the question, “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?” “Who shall stand in His holy place?” In other words, “Who is worthy to enter the presence of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords? Who has attained perfection in their own righteousness which allows them entry into the presence of a perfectly just and holy God?
The answer is two-fold and it should be easy for us to discern. The first part of the answer is, “No one is worthy! Not a single human being is worthy to stand before holy God because we’ve all sinned. The Creator has made us after His own likeness and we turned around and committed cosmic rebellion against Him. Therefore, we are sinners unworthy of entering into His presence to worship Him.
Now the good stuff! Who is worthy? “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.” Who would that be? It’s none other than our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! The only perfect God-man, who never sinned.
And thank the Lord for verse 5! “He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Not just our savior but anyone who comes to God by faith in the work of Christ.
God has made a way for lost sinners to be restored, redeemed and justified. Every human being has failed God miserably, yet He is able to provide the righteousness required for us to enter through the shed blood of His own Son. Jesus Christ is our substitute, who has paid for our sins and has given us the righteousness that is required to be justified before holy God!
Therefore, we are able to enter His presence and worship the Creator and King every day!
Is there really any other place you would rather be on a Sunday morning than entering the house of the Lord to worship Him as an assembly of people profoundly shaken by the knowledge that God has justified and saved us as His very own?
The next verse says, “Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.” Those who seek God are profoundly touched by the work of the .Gospel in their own heart.
So, be thankful today and every day! Desire to be in the assembly of God’s people and worship Him with one joyful voice!
Pastor Greg
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