On Psalm 24

Summer Psalms - On Psalm 24

July 25, 2022

Pray for Illumination  -  Heavenly Father, help me to know your ways; teach me your paths and lead me into your truth. Amen.

Read Psalm 24

Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
    Who may stand in his holy place?   Psalm 24:3

Shortly after my young family and I moved to BC, we decided to take a drive to Granville Island for the day.  As we were trying to find our way into the area, we mistakenly took a road that led us into an area of high-end luxury vehicle dealerships.  As we drove along in our old Corolla I felt as if everyone was looking at us and knew we didn’t belong there.  As beautiful as the cars were, I was in a hurry to get us out of there, because I knew (at least in my head) we didn’t belong there!  I felt out of place.  

Ironically enough, it would only be a few years later that I would be inside almost all those dealerships on a weekly basis.  No, not as a customer.  But I would be caring for their coffee supplies and equipment.  They certainly wanted me to be there and were always happy to see me!

Today’s Psalm is written in such a way that leaves us with a deep sense of God’s power and majesty.  David asks the question of who may go into the presence of the Lord?  He then goes on to answer the question:

The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
    who does not trust in an idol
    or swear by a false god.   Psalm 24:4

Clearly not a place where I belong.  And yet he goes on to say that those who seek the Lord (those who long to live in his presence) will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior (Psalm 24:5).  What is amazing is that God does not lower his standards for those who may live in his holy presence.  But rather makes clean those who would seek Him.  

The son of God left his throne, His holy place, and entered into our humanity.  As Jesus walked among us here, he encountered the most unclean, unhealthy, unfit outsiders, and yet always made them feel welcome as he would heal and cleanse them.  Jesus gave his life so that we can follow him into the presence of God and stand before our King of Glory as one who belongs and is welcome, as a child of God.  

Take time today to consider the mercy of God.  Give Him thanks for not leaving you on the outside as one who does not belong or deserving to be there.  He has come to you and has taken you by the hand.  Even now, the Spirit of God walks with you and is making you ready to live in the fullness of God’s presence.  

Who is he, this King of glory?
    The Lord Almighty—
    he is the King of glory.  Psalm 24:10