The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein,
2 for he has founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 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.
Watch an old gangster movie and you will invariably see a Prohibition era speakeasy with the letter slot opening and a grizzled face asking for the password. Only a select few drinkers were granted entry. Here in this psalm, David is worshiping the Lord for his majesty in the presence of the Tabernacle. He sees his own unworthiness to enter and describes the selection process for inclusion; clean hands and a pure heart. They may have met the standard for temple access but the kingdom is another matter.
Who shall stand in his holy place when Jesus returns? There is no one who has clean hands. They rush to do evil every day. There is no one with a pure heart. It is deceitful above all things. Isaiah cried out in despair of his unclean lips. What part of our body does not destroy us? Praise God that Jesus suffered in his body to grant us access to the kingdom. Now, when someone asks for the password, we can utter the simple, yet beautiful word “grace”. He has washed our hands and purified our hearts to come in.
Dear Lord, thank you for the cleansing power of the blood of the Lamb. Help us to boldly enter the kingdom with the gift of grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church