Tuesday, December 10, 2024  

---

Today's Scripture
Psalm 24

The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it;
for he has founded it on the seas,
and established it on the rivers.

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,
who do not lift up their souls to what is false,
and do not swear deceitfully.
They will receive blessing from the Lord,
and vindication from the God of their salvation.

Such is the company of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is the King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle.
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 of hosts,
he is the King of glory. (NRSV)

---

Reflection

In my research of this psalm (haha — eight minutes on my phone), I learned that the city gates and ancient doors did not contain the mechanism to go up and down. This has blown my vision of the King coming into the city. I also have tried to get past the great chorus in Handel’s Messiah.

This leaves me with my God coming to save me. Looking up, lifting my head, looking toward my rescuer changes all of my thinking. I am not swept away from my own failed attempts at controlling my life (and the people around me). I am not blindly saved from peril.

I can be and should be aware that it is my God who controls my life. I want to see my rescuer. (I don’t, actually, because I do not think of myself as someone needing to be rescued). It is right there at the beginning of Psalm 24. “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.” That’s me!

---

Prayer
Dear God, help me to realize at every turn that I cannot rescue myself or those around me. I pray that the King of Glory shall indeed come in, and that I have turned my face to the King. Amen.

---

Written by Katy Sinclair, Associate Director of Music for Children and Youth

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

Devotion index by date | I’d like to receive daily devotions by email