Last month, I mentioned a spiritual practice that I often find life-giving: scripture journaling. (You can read that post for more insight). Here are some insights that came as I read, reflected on and journaled in response to 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 on the seas
????and established it on the waters.
3?Who may ascend the mountain?of the?Lord?
????Who may stand in his holy place?
4?The one who has clean hands?and a pure heart,
????who does not trust in an idol
????or swear by a false god.[a]
5?They will receive blessing?from the?Lord
????and vindication?from God their Savior.
6?Such is the generation of those who seek him,
????who seek your face,?God of Jacob.[b][c]
7?Lift up your heads, 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, 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.
- 1-2 ? Everything and everyone was made for, established by, and belongs to the Lord. We always start here. He is King. We seek His kingdom and His way first. So many of my problems come when I don?t start here.
- 3-4 ? How do we become the kind of people who find ourselves at home in the presence of God? I allow God?s Spirit to make for me clean hands and a pure heart. God?s Spirit moves me from multiplicity to singleness of motive. I learn to continually direct my hearts and my life towards Jesus in every thing I find to do.
- 5-6 ? All of this is what God calls the blessed life. Blessing here isn?t something we earn, but a reality we receive as we seek God with every thought, intention and action.
- 7-10 ? We are invited to lift our gaze to the Lord. Rather than looking down or looking around at everything and everyone else, we look up. We keep looking up. We welcome the presence of the Ancient One, the king of glory. (Glory as beautiful, majestic, abundant, always with us, always strong).
What passage have you read most recently that enriched, counseled and encouraged you? Share your insights in the comments below.?
