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A PURE HEART (I)
FRIDAY, APRIL 9
Psalm 24:1-4

John 4:23

 

“Who shall ascend into the hill

of the LORD?”

 

A PURE HEART (I)
 
The question asked in Psalm 24:3 ought immediately to arrest our attention. In order for us to appreciate its import, however, we must first consider the occasion of the psalm. This is generally taken to be the entrance of the ark into Jerusalem (2 Sam 6; cf. Ps 24:7-10), especially as it pointed towards the eventual establishment of the temple as God’s fixed “dwelling-place” on earth. The LORD to whom belongs the whole earth, with all its fulness (v 1), has chosen the hill of Zion to be specially His; and has chosen one place on earth to be holy, consecrated unto Himself. But now concerning this one place David asks, “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who shall stand in his holy place?” (v 3).
 
The true worshippers of God are described first positively: they are those who have clean hands and pure hearts (v 4). The emphasis here is on the extent of the purity required. Of course, those who come into God’s house must have “clean hands” ‒ just as modern travellers must undergo extensive checks before boarding an aeroplane, to ensure they are “clean” of any dangerous item, and of any particular criminal record.
 
But God’s standard is much higher than that of man, for while man cannot police the heart, God sees and knows, and has authority over, even our very thoughts. He that would enter into the presence of the thriceholy God, must have not only clean hands, but also “a pure heart.” Even our imaginations, our desires, and our motives must be pure, if we would worship God!
 
Dear reader, it is fashionable in these last days to scoff at the thought of yielding reverence to a higher power. Yet do you not recognise that the worship of God is man’s chief end, and highest honour, and greatest joy? And in that light will you not acknowledge how crucial it is, that we examine our hearts as we come to the Lord’s house each week? Check your motives as you get out of bed this Lord’s Day! Think it not trivial or routine to gather with God’s people for holy worship, but take the time to prepare and purify your heart, that you may “ascend into the hill of the LORD.”
 
THOUGHT: “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Matt 5:8)

PRAYER: Merciful Father, help me to examine and purify my heart.

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