July 8, 2015: Psalm 24

Psalm 24

Entrance into the Temple

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

³ Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
    And who shall stand in his holy place?
⁴ Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,
    who do not lift up their souls to what is false,
    and do not swear deceitfully.
⁵ They will receive blessing from the Lord,
    and vindication from the God of their salvation.
⁶ Such is the company of those who seek him,
    who seek the face of the God of Jacob.^[a]Selah

⁷ Lift up your heads, O gates!
    and be lifted up, O 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, O gates!
    and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
    that the King of glory may come in.
¹⁰ Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord of hosts,
    he is the King of glory.

Reflection

“Wash your hands” It is a phrase I feel like a say fifteen times a day, which is remarkable in its own right, since we are home for two meals at best between work and school. My kids inability to follow directions the first time is very similar to my inability to follow God’s instructions in my daily life. God says “love your neighbor as yourself”, a command to love both yourself and your neighbor, and to “love God”. These instructions seem as simple as me asking my kids to wash their hands, but I need to be reminded again and again. And like my young children I need to be helped through the process. God stands with me and helps me clean my hands and heart from the messes I make, just like I stand with my young daughters and help them clean their hands each night. When we finally make it to the sink, figuratively in my walk with Christ and literally with my kids.

Questions:

Morning: What do you need God’s help cleaning from your hands and heart today?

Afternoon: Have you gotten dirty? If so, pause and clean your heart just as we would our hands before lunch

Evening: How can God help you get clean before bed? Say a prayer and thank God for the help each day