Come On In

Wendy and I are sitting here anticipating another surgery. Earlier this morning, Jeff Domingus text me Psalm 24. As I read it, I couldn’t help sharing it with you. Wherever you are, whatever you’re facing, your 3 word prayer can (and should) be, “Come on in.”

David opens the Psalm by acknowledging God’s rightful ownership of everything:

The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. (Psalm 24:1-2 ESV)

Before he says, “Come on in,” he asks, “How can I come in?”

Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah (Psalm 24:3-6 ESV)

More than once David had ascended God’s hill (Jerusalem) and stood in his holy place (the temple). The prerequisites: clean hands, pure hearts, undivided worship, honest dealings. The reward: blessing and righteousness. Interesting that David got the reality that God provides the righteous requirement for entry into God’s presence.  But how did he receive that: by seeking God. God seeks us, we seek him. God pursues us, we pursue him. God longs for us, we long for him.

While Wendy and I definitely want a successful surgery today, we want God more. Why? David continues.

Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah (Psalm 24:7-10 ESV)

Jerusalem had gates–12 of them to be exact! When a dignitary arrived, the gates would swing open wide, the city would be astir, the red carpet rolled out. Jerusalem, that ancient holy city, was only significant because of who reigned there. If the King of glory didn’t enter, then ascending the hill and standing in the holy place had little value.

In just a few hours, Trent will be rolled back (like so many times before) through doors that Wendy and I will not walk through. We will wait while the doctors do what they do. Our hope, our peace, our comfort is that the King of glory is there. Don’t miss who He is. He is the LORD, strong and mighty. When our strength ends, His is only beginning. When our strength fails, His sustains. When our strength wanes, His grows.

Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts–in other words–the one who fights for us. Every time we come to this point, we feel powerless and helpless. But the King of glory is the ultimate warrior, the determined general, the consummate commander.

Selah (pause…and think about it)