When Christ Enters Our Life
Good Morning Friends,
Last night at choir we were singing music inspired by today’s Psalm 24 and I think it is appropriate for this time of year which asks for recommitments to the cause as we enter into the new church year and the Season. This Sunday we will be singing both a call to worship and an anthem that also
A Call to Worship in a more expansive way.
Interesting that we will have two. Interesting that the Psalm we sing was written for two choirs. Interesting that Jesus enters in to this world twice. Like a Baptist preacher we will be repeating phrases for emphasis, we too will repeat phrases until at last the door is opened and hopefully some will experience how awesome our God is in that moment When Christ Enters Our Life.
Scripture: The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers. Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully. They will receive blessing from the Lord, and vindication from the God of their salvation. Such is the company of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Selah
Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors! That the King of glory may come in. Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors! That the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah
Psalm 24 (NRSV)
On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Revelation 19:16 (NIV)
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
Revelation 3:20 (NIV)
Message: I really do not know how one could fully understand this Psalm without having heard it in context. It has so many levels of meaning. I think the Psalm was written to celebrate the return of the Ark to Jerusalem into the court of the tabernacle where only the clean could go, but it also seems to foretell of Christ entering Jerusalem as well. The repetitions like the repeated knocking on the door of our hearts celebrates the day when Christ, the King of glory enters. Perhaps this Psalm, was intended from the beginning to celebrate the resurrection of Messiah, and his ascension into heaven, and his return as well. Maybe all the persistent repetitions is God’s way of saying I am going to hound you until you come home.
Pray the gate of our hearts, honest and humble be opened. Pray the King of Glory comes in to love us as we are right now. Pray we realize our righteousness is in Christ alone. Pray we hear God’s call for us to worship and serve. Pray we too by the Grace of God are allowed to enter in the gates of heaven. Pray we lift up our heads to the head of the redeemed world and receive the righteousness only Jesus can provide. Pray Christ is victorious in us. Pray we repeat the story of his victory until it finally sinks into our very being and spills over into the lives of those we meet.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 