How I love God Pt 30: Lift up your eyes O earth
Psalm 24 1The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; 2for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. 3Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? 4The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. 5They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior. 6Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob. 7Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 8Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. 9Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 10Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty— he is the King of glory.
We live in a society dedicated to knowledge and the elevation of human thought. Many a school has the designation of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) attached to it. In such a culture, we of faith are ridiculed for believing in God and that He created the heavens and the earth. Psalm 24 reminds us that the world belongs to God, that He calls us to live with clean hands and pure hearts, and that He is the glorious King who deserves to be welcomed into every part of our lives.
We cannot understand our place in the world without recognizing who made it. We cannot enjoy a close relationship with God while deliberately holding on to sin. And we cannot truly honor Him as King while keeping Him at the edges of our lives. We are invited to look beyond our everyday concerns and recognize the greatness of the One who made us, and we are challenged us to consider whether our lives reflect His character. God is not simply someone we turn to when we need help. He is the Creator, the righteous Judge, and the King of glory.
The LORD established the earth
We sometimes speak as though our possessions, our time, and our abilities belong entirely to us. We may say, "It's my money," "It's my house," or "It's my life." In one sense, we are responsible for managing these things, but Psalm 24 reminds us that their ultimate ownership belongs to God. The earth did not come into existence through human effort. We did not create the mountains, fill the oceans, or make the sun rise each morning. We receive the benefits of God's creation every day, often without giving much thought to the One who provides them.
Imagine someone who is given a house to manage while its owner is away. The manager may live in the house, use its rooms, and care for its contents, but the house does not become his property. He is expected to look after it responsibly and respect the owner's wishes. Our lives are similar. God has entrusted us with time, relationships, abilities, resources, and opportunities. We should use these gifts responsibly rather than treating them as though we have no one to answer to. This truth affects ordinary decisions. How do we treat our family members? Are we honest in our work? Do we use our money only to satisfy ourselves, or do we also consider the needs of others? Do we care for the world around us, or do we waste what God has provided?
Recognizing God's ownership changes our attitude. Instead of asking only, "What do I want to do with what I have?" we begin asking, "How can I use what God has entrusted to me in a way that honors Him?"
The same principle applies to our lives themselves. We did not give ourselves life, and we cannot control everything that happens to us. We experience uncertainty, disappointment, sickness, and loss. Yet the God who established the earth is not overwhelmed by the problems we face. When life becomes difficult, remembering who God is helps us place our circumstances in the right perspective. Our problems may be large from where we stand, but they are not larger than the God who made the earth.
This does not mean that every difficulty will disappear when we trust Him. It means that we do not have to face our difficulties as though we were alone.
One who has clean hands and a pure heart
Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?
The question is not simply who can visit a place of worship. It concerns who can stand in the presence of a holy God. Clean hands and a pure heart describe two closely connected aspects of our lives. Clean hands point to our actions, while a pure heart points to our inner motives, desires, and attitudes.
It is possible to appear respectable on the outside while carrying selfishness, bitterness, dishonesty, or pride within. We might speak kindly when other people are listening but treat someone badly when no one else is around. We might help another person because we genuinely care, or we might do it because we want others to admire us. The thing to remember is that outward respectability cannot replace inward honesty before God.
This does not mean Christians must become perfect before they can approach Him. If perfection were the requirement, none of us could stand in His presence. Scripture teaches that everyone has sinned (Romans 3:23), and our hope rests on God's grace through Jesus Christ. Psalm 24 describes the character of those who approach God. It is not teaching that we earn salvation by achieving sinless behavior. Rather, it shows that a life lived in relationship with a holy God must take holiness seriously.
Through Jesus, we receive forgiveness and are brought into a restored relationship with God. As we grow in faith, the Holy Spirit works within us, changing our attitudes and helping us turn away from sin. First John 1:9 tells us that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Confession means more than feeling uncomfortable about something we have done. It involves agreeing with God about our sin and turning toward Him for forgiveness and change.
Our relationship with God also requires honesty. We should not hide our failures behind excuses or compare ourselves with people whose behavior appears worse than ours. Instead, we should allow God's Word to show us where change is needed. A pure heart also involves our loyalties. Psalm 24 warns against trusting in an idol. But an idol is not limited to a carved image. Anything we place in God's position can become an idol in our lives. Money, success, personal comfort, reputation, or even another person can become more important to us than obedience to God.
We may claim to trust God while allowing fear of losing our possessions to control our decisions. We may say that we follow Christ while making our personal ambitions more important than His will. The question is whether God truly has first place in our hearts.
Lift up your eyes, O gates
In the ancient world, city gates were important places. They provided protection, controlled access, and represented the strength and security of the city. A king returning in victory would enter through the gates, and his arrival would be a reason for celebration. The psalm uses this picture to call attention to the greatness of God. The gates are told to rise because an ordinary visitor is not approaching. The King of glory is coming.
The words also invite us to consider whether we are ready to welcome God into our lives. It is easy to welcome God into certain areas while keeping others closed to Him. We may pray when we need help, attend church, and speak about our faith, yet resist His direction when it conflicts with our preferences. Welcoming the King means more than asking Him to solve our problems. It means recognizing His authority over our decisions, relationships, attitudes, and plans. Do we open the door of our heart to God as if we actually trusted Him? We welcome Him into our Sunday worship but keep Him out of our financial decisions. We seek His comfort when we are discouraged but ignore His teaching when it challenges our behavior.
Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commands." Love for Christ is not merely a feeling or a statement. It expresses itself through a willingness to follow Him.
Lifting up the gates also gives us a picture of raising our eyes above our immediate circumstances. We can become so occupied with our daily responsibilities that we lose sight of God's greatness. Bills, family problems, work pressures, and personal disappointments can fill our thoughts until they seem to be the only things that matter. There is nothing wrong with addressing these responsibilities. God expects us to be faithful in everyday life. But we must not allow our circumstances to become greater in our minds than the One who rules over them.
Who is the King of glory
Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
For the original hearers, this language would have brought to mind a victorious king returning from battle. The psalm presents God as the supreme King whose authority exceeds that of every earthly ruler. For believers, this picture also invites us to think about Jesus Christ. The New Testament reveals Jesus as the promised Messiah and the risen Lord. He came into the world in humility, gave His life for sinners, and rose from the dead. His victory was not achieved through the methods of earthly rulers but through His obedience to the Father and His triumph over sin and death. And Philippians 2:8-11 describes how Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient to death on a cross. Because of this, God exalted Him, so that every knee should bow and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord.
This truth challenges our understanding of strength. We often associate power with the ability to control others, gain influence, or get our own way. Jesus showed a different kind of strength. He served others, welcomed those who were rejected, spoke the truth, and remained obedient even when obedience led to the cross.
If we recognize Him as King, we must learn from His example. Recognizing Jesus as King also gives us hope when the world seems troubled. Human governments change, leaders disappoint, and circumstances can become frightening. But Christ's authority does not depend on the stability of earthly institutions. This does not mean believers should ignore injustice or avoid their responsibilities in society. It means we can work for what is right without placing our ultimate hope in human power.
The question, "Who is the King of glory?" is therefore more than a question about God's identity. It asks us to consider whether we recognize His authority in our own lives. It is possible to know the right answers about Jesus without allowing those truths to shape our conduct. We may know that He is Lord but still insist on having the final word in every decision. Genuine faith calls us to trust Him, follow His teaching, and allow His character to influence the way we treat others.
What about me?
Psalm 24 takes us from the foundation of the earth to the gates through which the King of glory enters. Along the way, it reminds us that God owns everything, that He calls us to live with clean hands and pure hearts, and that He deserves the highest place in our lives. These truths belong together. Because God is the Creator, we should manage His gifts responsibly. Because He is holy, we should take sin seriously and seek His cleansing. Because He is King, we should welcome His authority rather than treating Him as an occasional helper.
The practical challenge is to carry the message of Psalm 24 into ordinary life. At work, remember that you are accountable to God. At home, practice honesty, patience, and forgiveness. When making decisions, seek His wisdom rather than relying entirely on your own understanding. When circumstances are difficult, remember that the Lord is strong and mighty.
Above all, lift your eyes beyond the immediate concerns of the day and remember who God is.