today's meditation (Psalm 24) Making Jesus Our Lord God and King

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Psalm 24:1-10)  The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains,

     The world, and those who live in it.
2   For He has founded it upon the seas 
     And established it upon the rivers.
3   Who may ascend onto the hill of the Lord?
     And who may stand in His holy place?
4   One who has clean hands and a pure heart,
     Who has not lifted up his soul to deceit 
     And has not sworn deceitfully.
5   He will 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 Your face—even Jacob. Selah 

7   Lift up your heads, you gates,
     And be lifted up, you ancient doors,
     That the King of glory may come in!
8   Who is the King of glory?
     The Lord strong and mighty,
     The Lord mighty in battle.
9   Lift up your heads, you gates,
     And lift them up, you ancient doors,
     That the King of glory may come in!
10 Who is this King of glory?
     The Lord of armies,
     He is the King of glory. Selah 

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Selah... we are told twice to pause and think about what has just been said.  Who can ascend to heaven and stand in God's holy place?  Only those who are holy and righteous!

This is a song of salvation.  And salvation is granted to anyone who sincerely believes in the Lord and His work on the cross.  Verse 4 rules out anyone who says they are a believer, but hasn't truly believed.  So what exactly does it mean?    

Verse 5 explains how when we become a Christian, we receive Jesus' righteousness.  This is the only way we can be saved, because no one is righteous on their own.  As the end of verse 6 says - not even Jacob!  Even Jacob had to seek the Lord's face and let the Lord into his heart.  To become a Christian, is to want Jesus to be our personal Lord God and King, and ask Him into our hearts and life!  And then to lift Him up as our Lord God and King!!!  

In a country's hierarchy, a lord is someone who governs an area, having power, authority and influence.  A king's job is to rule and run the country and its people.  And a person's god is whatever comes first in their life.  So think about it deeply and sincerely... what it means to ask that Jesus be our personal Lord God and King.