relationships (Psalm 24:1-10) Who Do We Lift Up?

(Psalm 24:1-10)  The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains,

     The world, and those who live in it.
2   For He has founded it upon the seas 
     And established it upon the rivers.
3   Who may ascend onto the hill of the Lord?
     And who may stand in His holy place?
4   One who has clean hands and a pure heart,
     Who has not lifted up his soul to deceit 
     And has not sworn deceitfully.
5   He will receive a blessing from the Lord 
     And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6   This is the generation of those who seek Him,
     Who seek Your face—even Jacob. Selah 

7   Lift up your heads, you gates,
     And be lifted up, you ancient doors,
     That the King of glory may come in!
8   Who is the King of glory?
     The Lord strong and mighty,
     The Lord mighty in battle.
9   Lift up your heads, you gates,
     And lift them up, you ancient doors,
     That the King of glory may come in!
10 Who is this King of glory?
     The Lord of armies,
     He is the King of glory. Selah 

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Selah... we are told twice to pause and think about what has just been said.  Who can ascend to heaven and stand in God's holy place?  Only those who are holy and righteous!  Those with clean hands and a pure heart, which is only possible by accepting the free gift of salvation and forgiveness of sins that only Jesus offers.

This is a song of salvation (verse 5).  And salvation is granted to anyone who sincerely believes in the Lord and His work on the cross.  Verse 4 rules out anyone who says they are a believer, but hasn't truly believed.  No one is righteous on their own, not even "Jacob" - the Israelites (verse 6).  To truly become a Christian, is to want Jesus as our personal Lord God and King, asking Him into our hearts and life!  And the proof of our faith is that we will desire to continually lift Him up as our Lord God and King!!!  

In a country's hierarchy, a lord is someone who governs an area, having power, authority and influence.  A king's job is to rule, run and protect a country and its people.  And a person's god is whatever or whoever comes first in their life, and whatever or whoever they serve.  We can lift up another god, an idol, politicians, our careers, a spouse, a child, a celebrity, or ourselves - but - these will only let us down, because these things are not perfect, omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, or eternal. 

So think about it deeply and sincerely... what it means to ask that Jesus be our personal Lord God and King.  And consider this... that in this personal relationship with the Creator of all things, there is great blessings!!!