Reflections
Psalm 24: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 (Read)
“Who may go up the mountain of the Lord? Who can stand in HIs holy place?"
This Sunday's Psalm is about a journey to
a holy place. It is a place where we will meet
the Lord. But we are asked, “Who can ascend
the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in
His holy place?”
Our psalmist answers, “The clean of hand and
pure of heart, who has not given his soul
to what is vain, such is the people that seeks
the face of God.”
We are all unworthy to be in the Lord's
presence, but at least we can cleanse
ourselves through confession, and bathe
in the Word. That is how we show our love
for the Lord.
Though we may not have to climb a mountain
to meet the Lord, we must prepare to receive
Him in our hearts. The Psalm is guiding us to
prepare ourselves from within, so that we are
made ready to receive Him when He comes.
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. The Psalm asks, "Who can go up to the mountain of the Lord?
How do you prepare yourself to ascend the mountain of the Lord and
stand in His holy place?
2. The Response this Sunday is, "Lord, this is the people that longs
to see your face." Describe the longing in your heart for our Lord.
I just love the words of reflection written above: "We are all unworthy to be in the Lord's presence, but at least we can cleanse ourselves through confession, and bathe in the Word. That is how we show our love for the Lord."
ReplyDeleteWith COVID-19, wildfires, civil unrest, election uncertainty, (and these just domestic issues), along with global unease, a Christian must ask, are we near the end? Is this the beginning of the Tribulation? When will Christ come again? The answer to any of these questions scares me.
I want to be counted and sealed as one of the blessed and protected, but I do not always feel worthy. My heart is not always pure and my hands, not always clean... as we are instructed to maintain in verse 4. Our blogger, Barry Lamont, writes of clear actions to take such as to seek Confession and my favorite, to BATHE IN THE WORD to show our love for the Lord and help make ourselves worthy of being in His presence.
I hope to immerse myself in God's Good Book and focus on two approaches to soften my heart: promises of His love for me and ways for me to love Him more abundantly. The choices are endless and somehow the Lord opens my eyes to the right verse at the right time. Seeking Him daily creates an even deeper longing for the Lord. One verse that resonates with me this day is Isaiah 40:31. "...But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up their wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."
I will seek more tomorrow.