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Psalms 24

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Verses 1-10, “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters. Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.”

The earth and all the richness it contains belongs to the Lord; because, after all, He created it. He also created the people who dwell upon the earth, and continues to provide for them...giving Him claim to them as well. He doesn't provide only for the righteous, but also the ungodly, showing His character of loving those who do not love Him.  Matthew 5:44‭-‬45, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

David asked the question, "who may stand in His holy place?" The answer is those with clean hands and pure hearts. The truth is that there is no one righteous, who has not sinned, except Jesus. However, when we are born again, we are cleansed from our unrighteousness and receive the imputed righteousness of Christ. I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Therefore, those who are saved and have the Holy Spirit, are not going to willingly commit unrighteous acts.  I John 2:3‭-‬6, “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”

And in light of all that Jesus has done for us, and who God is, we are motivated by proper fear and reverence. II Corinthians 7:1, “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

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