Who Can Approach God?
Today’s Text: Psalm 24:3-6
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Many believe King David wrote the following psalm when preparing to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. The text asks and answers a fundamental question:

PSALM 24:3-6

Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who may stand in His holy place?

The Old City of Jerusalem, Mount Zion and Dormition Church.

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

The questions posed by King David refer to individuals who have a relationship with the Lord. Who can approach God? Who can have the confidence to enter God’s presence?

The answers are astounding. Those seeking communion with God must possess, “clean hands and a pure heart, [one] who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully” (v. 4).

Clean hands describe righteous acts while a pure heart defines proper motives. Together these idioms describe a person of integrity. An individual devoted to idolatry is characterized by vanity and deception—the antithesis of integrity.

God’s grace makes approaching Him possible. He is the source of salvation, and those who enjoy an ongoing relationship with Him are likened to the man, Jacob-Israel, who decisively removed all idolatrous influence from his household (v. 5). His first step was followed by an intense determination to serve God alone.

Living in the 21^st century, people of faith are confronted with the same choice. Rather than succumbing to the pressure of ambition, career, finances, possessions, pleasure or any other gods seeking to usurp authority over life, choose to make God your priority. You can confidently approach God and enjoy His blessing!

Rev. Charles E. McCracken is an International Bible Teacher. Connect with Charles via the Contact Form under ABOUT!

Charles E. McCracken is an international Bible teacher, long-time friend of Israel and advocate for the Jewish people. Rev. McCracken is known for authenticity in communicating biblical truth that is relevant for those seeking to understand the significance of Israel and the church in Bible prophecy. He staunchly supports the nation of Israel and the Jewish people’s right to exist and live in peace.

 © Charles E. McCracken 2016, devotional comments only. Repost/Reprint with permission from the author. Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (Emphasis added.)

IMAGES:
1) Bible opened to Isaiah. By Ken Horn, [CC BY 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons – Enhancement: MKM Portfolios
2) The Old City of Jerusalem, Mount Zion and Dormition Church. By Israeli Police Spokesperson Unit (Israeli Police Official Facebook (source) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons – Enhancement: MKM Portfolios

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