Thursday, February 21, 2013

Verse of the Day 2/21

 Psalm 24:3-4   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 has not set his mind  on what is false,
and who has not sworn deceitfully.  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 Yesterday we considered Jesus quoting Isaiah about the people who give lip service to God, "honoring me with their lips while their hearts were far from Him".  The previous day we looked at Isaiah 1 where the worshipers were lifting "hands filled with blood" in worship when God desired clean hands.  Today's verse from Psalm 24 brings these together.  The question is actually raised in a liturgy.  It is a question directed towards the worshipers or those desiring to worship.  The response is an acknowledgment of what God truly desires, having cleansed hands and hearts.
 
Instead of setting our minds on things that man has come up with, perhaps 12 step programs or other self help programs, we need to set aside the things that distract us, the sin that has tripped us up and set our hearts on Jesus.
 
Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,   New King James Version (NKJV)

 

The end of the passage is significant.  It speaks of seeking the face of the God of Jacob.  Jacob was the one who wrestled with God and came away from the encounter as a changed man with a new name.

 

Blessings,
Mike
Follow the verse of the day at www.mikesvotd.blogspot.com

 
Psalm 24:3-6 English Standard Version (ESV)

3 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.[a] Selah

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