Read Psalm 24:1-6. 1The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, 2for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. 3Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. 5He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
The Lord of creation, the possessor of the earth’s fullness, the one who brought form from chaos, has made his dwelling on Earth and invites us to climb up the hill to him to stand in his holy place. All who have clean hands and a pure heart may enter. Those who reject the falsity of lesser helpers may come.
Of course there has only been one person who has met these high priestly requirements without the help of a blood sacrifice to cover his failings. There has only been one person who has ascended the hill with a truly pure heart. Only one has sought and seen the face of the God of Jacob, the one who came from the Father’s side. Jesus Christ the righteous.
If by faith you are in Christ today, then you too may ascend the hill. You too may come boldly to the throne room of God to find grace and help in time of need. Yes, your hands are clean. Yes, your heart is pure, for you have the hands and heart of Jesus himself. So come. Come to find blessing. Come to find righteousness. And come to wrestle with the God of Jacob.
To live is Christ is to live on the holy hill of God, trusting that the clean hands and pure heart of Christ are ours in him.
You: Are you trying to climb the hill to God in your own righteousness or Christ’s?
You in Christ: In Christ you have clean hands and a pure heart. How does trusting this draw you boldly into the presence of God?
Christ in you: What do you do to actively seek the face of Christ each day? Are there any habits that need to be formed that can help you?
Pray: Father, you have made a way for me into your presence through Jesus Christ the righteous. Everything is yours! I am yours. Amen.
To Live is Christ 