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Lift Up Your Heads

             Of David. A psalm.

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.  

Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you 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, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty—  he is the King of glory. (Psalm 24)

Two things this praise psalm has in common with Psalm 8 are the connection of God with the world and with man, and the repetition of phrases. The connection of God with the world and with man is necessary to praise because there’s not much use in praising when there’s no connection. We couldn’t even know that God exists and deserves praise if there were no connection. Would it be reasonable for you to praise me for inventing the incandescent light bulb and thus making your life easier? The repetition of phrases (and even words) is a characteristic of Hebrew poetry. It’s their way of emphasizing something. We should expect it and pay attention when it happens.

Now, about the content. To begin, we need to remind ourselves that the earth is the Lord’s. OUR worlds (our selves, homes, neighborhoods, cities, etc.) belong to Him. I’ve been trying to pray regularly for the Church, families (in general and specific), the communities I’m part of, their leaders, and my enemies and their leaders. Those are the people in my world, though I admit, I think I’m praying for virtual people more than real ones. But my world also consists of my heart, my mind, my body, my relationships, my spirit, my soul, my possessions, and my ministries. The least two of these include my studies, my garden, my house, my truck, my dog, my crafting, my writing, and whatever else makes my day or life complete. All of these belong to God. I’m not entirely sure what that means, but that’s something to discuss with God. What does your world consist of?

In the second paragraph above, gates and ancient doors are called on to respond appropriately to the King of glory. Think of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Think of what happens when your team wins a championship. The subjects of the king, the fans of the team welcome him or them back home with celebration. Is this the way we respond to God entering our lives? Granted, some of us aren’t exactly the “rah rah” type, but do we welcome Him however we would welcome someone we love? Or, do we stride forward with our list of complaints, or crawl forward from our wallows of self-pity and self-loathing? I find myself thinking about when I come through the door, and how my dog wants to greet me. I think my attitude needs some adjustment.

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