July 21, 2018 Saturday

“1 ¶  « A Psalm of David. » The earth is the LORD’S, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. 2  For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters. 3 ¶  Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. 5  He shall receive blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6  This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah 7 ¶  Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. 8  Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. 9  Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. 10  Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah” (Psalm 24:1-10 NKJV)

            We who are Christians can assume we have a right to come into the presence of God. One reason for this mistake is we do not understand the holiness and power of God who not only is the creator but also sustainer.

            As the creator of all things including ourselves we belong to God. The fall was not just eating a fruit God didn’t want us to eat but our attempt to be our own god and no longer recognize God as Creator and our owner!

            And then the psalmist gives us a description of how we should live if we recognize God is our Creator. By living according to God’s command and by our obedience we are seeking God and to see the face of God. Selah in a similar to amen and means so be it which is recognition of our acceptance of God’s plan and will.

            The result of our acceptance of God as our owner and creator is God’s presence in our lives! The God who is creator, sustainer, owner, glorious, strong and mighty and mighty in battle not only accepts us but comes into our lives!

            With the fall we became aware of our nakedness which is more than just a lack of clothing but also means to recognize we are defenseless! If we pull away from God or kick God out of our lives, our families, our communities, our nation and our world we no longer find ourselves under God’s protection and then we are at the whim of evil people and the evil one.

            We must lift up our gates and our doors so God can dwell not only with us but in us. The Psalmist goes even farther and declares that we ourselves are the very gates that keep God out of our lives. The psalmist calls for us to lift our heads up to experience the glory of God rather than looking down to be our own god and to live our lives “My Way”!

            Do you choose to reject the God who created you and close your door so you can be your own god?  Do you recognize your “nakedness” and seek God as your protector and sustainer?  Are you willing to accept God as your creator and to live according to God’s will and command?