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Vs1-2 The Ark of the Covenant is coming home -- back to Jerusalem.
God is recognized as the Creator.
He is in control.
He created it all.
Everything
It does not belong to the strongest, or the richest, or the famous.
It ALL belongs to God.
The earth can continue if we are not a part of it. It is all God's.
Everything that is is His! All of it!
He now asks a question.
Who has the right to enter into the presence of God?
V3 Who may climb the mountain of the Lord?
Those who have hands and hearts that are pure can.
Not those who worship idols - or those who lie.
"We have all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God." Romans 3:23
Who can come in?
"Those who receive the Lord's blessing
(V5) and have a right standing with God their Savior.” (Revelation 7:17)
V6 They alone may enter God's presence and worship the God of Israel.
Selah
Our hearts are not pure.
Our hands are not clean.
We don't always walk in integrity.
We put other gods before God.
We are sinners.
Let's take a journey back to the Passover supper. Let's watch Jesus as He leads in this celebration, this time of remembrance. Let's look into His face as He sings with His disciples Psalm 118 - the song that was traditionally sung together as they broke the bread and drank the wine, remembering the time they were set free from bondage. It is a song of encouragement and assurance. Look into Jesus' eyes as He sings with them. This is the night He will go to Gethsemane, the day prior to His crucifixion, yet He lifts His voice and sings praises to God.
Psalm 118: 1-24
Jesus praises God on His journey home –
but first Gethsemane -
then Golgotha -
and then home - a glorious welcome.
Psalm 118:8-9 Our trust needs to be in the Lord, not in people.
V14 The joy of the Lord is our strength, so Satan uses people to try to steal our joy.
Vs 15-16 The suffering is over and the victory is won.
V17 I will live to tell what the Lord has done.
V27 Jesus is the sacrifice.
Psalm 122:1 A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.”
Psalm 24:7
Open you gates and accept your King.
Open you everlasting doors.
V8 Who is this King of Glory?
He is the One who rode into Jerusalem as God in the form of man on a donkey.
For 33 years He had won every victory over sin. The evil one tempted Him.
He was betrayed, scourged, His head was pierced by a crown of thorns, He was
taunted, spit upon, mocked and crucified.
He triumphed in life
In death
And He rose again.
David wasn’t there when He ascended into heaven, but he did see it and he wrote down every word, 1000 years prior to the fact.
He heard the trumpet of a victorious King. He heralded out His arrival.
The call went out – David heard.
“Open up. Open up, ancient gates.
Open
Gates – shiar -- a gate of entrance, palace, royal castle, temple, heaven
V9 Open up – and let the King of Glory come in. Let Him enter.
V10
Who is the King of Glory?
(Perhaps David rubs his eyes.)
Who is this King?
It’s Jehovah - It’s my King.
The Supreme Name, the Supreme God.
It’s my King. He’s my King.
David has just entered Jerusalem with the Ark of the Covenant, the representation of the Glory of God.
In worship He sees Jesus.
He knows this King.
David has gone out to war with this King.
He has been through the valley of the shadow of death with this King.
But wait –
The trumpet is blowing again –
What’s going on?
Who are they opening the gates for this time?
Open the gates!
Open the everlasting doors.
The King of Glory is coming through.
Who is the King of Glory?
David looks closer – It’s my King.
The Lord Almighty –
This time He isn’t alone. Who is with Him?
The Lord of Hosts –
Oh, David – Do you see yourself?
Do you see me?
I am there.
Isaiah 61:1 He has come to set the captives free!
up, everlasting doors. belongs to God. He created it. Psalm 24 - The Triumphant Entry - The Victory is Won!
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