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June 28, 2019

The word Sabbath means to cease. So as Dr. Brooks is away on sabbatical, we will be using his original devotionals from 2009 on the book of Psalms. He will resume The Bible Project devotionals upon his return. Thank you for reading with us and praying for him as he replenishes his soul for the next seven years of ministry.

Psalm 24

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
    the world, and all who live in it;
for he founded it on the seas
    and established it on the waters.
Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
    Who may stand in his holy place?

The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
    who does not trust in an idol
    or swear by a false god.
They will receive blessing from the Lord
    and vindication from God their Savior.
Such is the generation of those who seek him,
    who seek your face, God of Jacob.
Lift up your heads, you gates;
    be lifted up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord strong and mighty,
    the Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, you gates;
    lift them up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
Who is he, this King of glory?
    The Lord Almighty—
    he is the King of glory.
New International Version (NIV)

“Mine.” We are not surprised when a toddler claims and protects a toy. At what age do we outgrow our obsession with possession? It is not hard to overcome if we understand this Psalm. God who created the earth still has the title to it. Not only does he own the earth, but he also owns everything in it, including the people. Psalm 100:3 reminds us that “it is he who has made us and not we ourselves.” In the New Testament, Paul tells the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit . . .? You are not your own. You were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God with your body and your spirit which are God’s.” God is our owner by creation and by redemption. Not only are my so called possessions, not mine, but I am not even mine. So we sing a song of devotion, “We are yours. We are yours. We are yours.”

Convinced of this truth we may ask and answer the question of who may approach the owner of all things. Those with clean hands and pure hearts, who reject idolatry and cling to truth. This generation that seeks God’s face will be blessed. Watch a small child look for a parent in a crowd. Our older son told us of a frightening experience when he was young. He was at the church and ran to his mother taking her hand, only to find that it was not her. So he looked for his mother’s face. Clothing can deceive us and even hands may seem right. But there is no mistaking a face. As we look to the Father, we look for his countenance. God is not hiding his face from us. A benediction we use says it well, “By the love of God, fully revealed in the face of Jesus Christ, we are being redeemed.”

A God so great deserves our best. Even the gates and doors must make way for the King of Glory to come in. The great celebration of the inauguration of the United States President paints a picture of this for us. Everything has to be safe and right. They want the walkways and doorways to be secure and clean for the coming of the new President. In the same way, David says, we must all make way to welcome the King of glory who is the Lord Almighty. Welcome him in worship today. Celebrate his greatness. God is on his throne.

This year our Every Day with Jesus readings will follow The Bible Project Read Scripture Plan. Copies of this reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download
the app at readscripture.org. Read through the Bible with us in 2019!
Joyfully,
Duane

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