MAKE WAY FOR THE KING
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Opening Prayer
Gracious Lord, thank you for the gift of this day, for this day when I am free to join with others in praising and worshiping you.
Read PSALM 24
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Psalm
Psalm 24
1 The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
2 for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.
3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?
4 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.
5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. Selah
7 Lift up your heads, O 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, O 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. Selah
Reflect
How big is your God? Take time to reflect on the one who is Creator, Lord, and King of glory.
What a psalm to read in a week where we have focused on the dedication of the temple! Here is a psalm of preparation to help people meet the King of glory. As the pilgrim people of God drew near to Jerusalem and to the temple in its midst, they knew only too well that their God was far greater than the temple but that he had condescended to meet them in his holy place. So, too, today: we believe that the Lord Jesus manifests himself among us by his Spirit when we gather together for worship.
Just as we dress up when meeting people of importance, so we do not go into the presence of God carelessly or casually. In days past, the quietness before the service was a chance to prepare our minds and hearts for worship. If that is no longer our practice, we need to find other ways to take stock of our lives and to seek forgiveness where we have fallen short. Verses 1—4 quickly reveal to us that it is only through grace and mercy that we can approach God at all.
However, we should not hold back. When we desire to know God, then blessing, pardon, and acceptance are given freely to us. We are set free to worship the King and to invite others to join us in doing so. The great climax to this psalm (vv. 7—10), which has been used for generations in the Church of Scotland as a communion hymn, is stirring. Our King is Jesus. His victory was won through the cross and the empty tomb. He is the King of glory, and we gladly worship him.
Apply
Pontius Pilate washed his hands—but they were not clean. Let us worship with clean hearts today.
Closing prayer
King of Kings, all praise belongs to you! You have called me your own, and every promise you have made is mine. Please use me to show others your glory.
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