The King Is Coming

OPENING PRAYER:

Holy Spirit of Truth, direct my attention to Jesus so I might see what you want me to become.

READ: PSALM 24

Of David. A psalm.

1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; 2 for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.

3 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.[a]

5 They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.[b][c]

7 Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty— he is the King of glory.

Footnotes

[a] Psalm 24:4 Or swear falsely

[b] Psalm 24:6 Two Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac (see also Septuagint); most Hebrew manuscripts face, Jacob

[c] Psalm 24:6 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 10.

PSALM 24

REFLECT:

Read this psalm slowly, giving thanks for our Creator and Sovereign God. What aspects of God’s character resonate with you today?

Imagine people gathering from all over Israel to join King David as they return the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. What a day of celebration! Singing psalms and making music, their procession would have been an amazing sight (1 Chronicles 13:8). The Lord Almighty was worthy of their praise and worship.

Psalm 24, probably composed to commemorate this event, tells the story of God, declaring his character and reflecting on Israel’s relationship with him. Not only is God seen as creator, but also as sovereign over the world. Not surprisingly they ask: ‘Who may stand in his holy place?’ They recognize that no one is worthy of approaching God, that all fall short of his glory (Romans 3:23). Hope comes, however; those seeking God’s face will receive his blessings (v 5). Ascending toward Jerusalem, they remember Moses’ song, recognizing God as their strength and salvation, declaring him as a warrior (Exodus 15:1-18). And here, Israel calls on God as almighty, strong and mighty in battle. In their worship, they confess God as King, ruler over their lives. ‘Who is this King of glory?’ Psalm 24 also looks forward – the Lord Almighty who would be revealed in Jesus. He did not set out to exploit equality with God, but came in human likeness, declaring the ultimate victory, through death on a cross (Philippians 2:1–11).

APPLY:

Worship King Jesus, declaring God as King in our lives.

CLOSING PRAYER:

Lord, you are interested in who I am. Forgive me for outwardly appearing to be more than I really am. May my worship and praise be truly from the heart.

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