Verse of the Day - Psalm 24:1

The earth is the LORD's and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.
~ Psalm 24:1 (NIV)

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ah, rats...and just when we thought we owed the universe...

King David reminds us that we're not the kings and queens of our castles...God is. And David uses this verse to remind us of God's supreme authorship and authority. Then David asks these questions: "Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?" (Psalm 24:3)

He basically says, What right do you have to come into the presence of the King? What offering to you bring?

I think of the scene in "The Ten Commandments" when foreign visitors coming to Egypt would bring gifts to Pharaoh when entering His land. If you and your gifts were acceptable, you could stay. If not, well...it might not be pretty, because the King has the authority to kick you out...or worse.

When we understand who God is in all His holiness and majesty as King of the universe, we should be humbled when we look at the rags of our pride and selfishness...at the gifts of our hateful, greedy hearts. What offerings could we possibly bring to Him that would satisfy, that would give us right to live and breath in His land?

Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ?
Who may stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to an idol
or swear by what is false.
He will receive blessing from the LORD
and vindication from God his Savior.
Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, O God of Jacob. Selah. ~ Psalm 24:3-6 (NIV)

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit:
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise. ~ Psalm 51:16-17 (NIV)

When you stand before the King of this land, do you try to appease Him with gifts of good works and lofty words? Or do humble yourself to the One who made you and provides everything you possess, handing Him your heart that's filled with self and asking for real change, and laying yourself at His feet at a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2)?

God is God, and we are not. We are completely at His mercy, whether we want to admit it or not. Fortunately for us, He is a good King, full of mercy. And He longs for us to enter His presence...that's why He gave His Son, Jesus.

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. ~ Hebrews 4:13-16 (NLT)

Love,
Joelene