Through the Bible - Saturday Numbers 18-20, Mark 11, Sunday - Numbers 21-22, Mark 12
Good morning,
For this weekend's verse we'll once again turn to the Psalms.
Earlier this week I had been reading in Matthew 5, the Beatitudes about the "pure in heart".
Ligonier Ministries' Tabletalk Magazine this week stated " the pure in heart receive God's blessing and will one day see Him (Matt.5:8). Jesus' instruction in this verse is not new information for those well versed in the Old Testament. It is based on Psalm 24, which says that only those with "clean hands and a pure heart" can stand in the Lord's presence (Ps. 24:3-4). According to Augustine, seeing God face to face when He renews all things is the end and purpose of all our loving activity. This privilege is only for those who have hearts characterized by purity."
Ps 24:3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully. NKJV
Today's verse comes a little further on in the psalm:
Ps 24:5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him,
Who seek Your face. NKJV
The blessing and the righteousness spoken of are gifts from God, of His grace.
Referring back to verse 4, MacArthur writes that the person with these qualities signify "basic integrity of inward motive and outward manner."
Thinking of Jacob here I think of the man who wrestled with God all night and wouldn't let go until He blessed Him (Gen. 32:28). Jacob left the encounter with a bad hip but a change in heart.
Think back now to the encounters of the last couple of days with Paul and Moses. These "close encounters" with God changed them. Have you had a close encounter that has changed you?
Will you seek Him and worship Him with a pure heart this weekend?
Let us be a generation who seeks after God with clean hands and a pure heart and not like those that Isaiah spoke of in Isaiah 1:
Isa 1:12-18
12 "When you come to appear before Me,Who has required this from your hand,To trample My courts? 13 Bring no more futile sacrifices;Incense is an abomination to Me.The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies — I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. 14 Your New Moons and your appointed feastsMy soul hates;They are a trouble to Me,I am weary of bearing them. 15 When you spread out your hands,I will hide My eyes from you;Even though you make many prayers,I will not hear.Your hands are full of blood. 16 "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.Cease to do evil, 17 Learn to do good;Seek justice,Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless,Plead for the widow. NKJV
In Christ,
Mike
Ps 24:1-25:1
The King of Glory and His Kingdom
A Psalm of David.
24 The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness,The world and those who dwell therein. 2 For He has founded it upon the seas,And established it upon the waters.
3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?Or who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,Nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord,And righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him,Who seek Your face.Selah
7 Lift up your heads, O you gates!And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!And the King of glory shall come in. 8 Who is this King of glory?The Lord strong and mighty,The Lord mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O you gates!Lift up, you everlasting doors!And the King of glory shall come in. 10 Who is this King of glory?The Lord of hosts,He is the King of glory.Selah
NKJV
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