Date: 02-14-2020

Title: Approaching God

(S) cripture:
    Psalm 24:1-6 (NASB77) The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it. 2 For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the rivers. 3 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, And has not sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive a blessing from the LORD And righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Thy face– even Jacob. Selah.

(O) bservation:
    This is one of the psalms that make my heart leap as we recognize the “King of Glory.” But first the psalmist describes the one who can approach and then recognize this “King of Glory”. One with clean hands and a pure heart. This is certainly not about washing hands but rather about a heart attitude of faithfulness to following the Lord. Clean hands (actions) and a pure heart (motives and attitudes) lead to being authentic and not to deceit in any fashion. The result is a blessing from God and a right relationship with the Lord.

(A) pplication:
    Today I want “clean hands” and a “pure heart” to be true of me. I want my actions, thoughts, motives and attitudes to be honoring to the Lord. I want to experience His blessing. I want to approach Him and have my heart leap as I come into His presence and recognize again the “King of Glory”.

(P) rayer:
    Lord make me aware of when my hands are not clean, and my heart is not pure so that I can confess my sin and be cleansed. Give me courage to apologize or make restitution to those I wrong. I want to walk in ways that honor you. I want to have my heart leap again as I see this King of Glory. Amen