What is the focus of your life? What are you best equipped to do? Think beyond natural abilities and learned skills, and beyond the routine of everyday life.
If you have a hard time seeing what that optimal thing is, it's because we all tend to drift from the simple, most basic reason we exist.
Every artist, builder, or designer has a purpose in mind for what they create. It is, in someway, an extension of who they are internally.
Scripture
A psalm by David.
The earth and everything it contains are the Lord’s. The world and all who live in it are his. He laid its foundation on the seas and set it firmly on the rivers.
Who may go up the Lord’s mountain? Who may stand in his holy place? ⌊The one who⌋ has clean hands and a pure heart and does not long for what is false or lie when he is under oath.
⌊This person⌋ will receive a blessing from the Lord and righteousness from God, his savior. This is the person who seeks him, who searches for the face of the God of Jacob. Selah [vss 1-4]
Lift your heads, you gates. Be lifted, you ancient doors, so that the king of glory may come in. Who is this king of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty! The Lord, heroic in battle!
Lift your heads, you gates. Be lifted, you ancient doors, so that the king of glory may come in. Who, then, is this king of glory? The Lord of Armies is the king of glory! Selah [vss 7-10]
(Psalm 24:1-10 GW) [Context– Psalm 24]
Key phrase— The earth and everything it contains are the Lord’s
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Digging Deeper...
Review the Scriptures above as you answer the following questions
What are two things we're told about the Lord and the world we live in on earth?
Who is able to approach God and stand in His presence? What are four things said about them?
What does this person seek and how are they rewarded for doing this?
Who is spoken of in the last half of this psalm? How do you see the beginning and end of this psalm connected (beyond who they describe)?
Reflection...
Every human bears the image of their Creator, whether they acknowledge it or not. Each of us is best equipped to be in relationship with our Creator—God.
Of course, not everyone chooses this, nor seems to want this. But each person has the capacity and need for a relationship with God. It is embedded in us (Gen 1:27).
Instead of asking, "Why are there so many different religions?" Consider that an indicator of the innate desire all humanity has for a relationship with God—the sovereign Creator of all.
But how can we do this? This psalm reminds us of what's required to be in the presence of God, and we all fall short of this every day.
The last half of this psalm reminds us that God would make Himself known and approachable—
Be lifted, you ancient doors, so that the king of glory may come in.
God did this through His Son Jesus (John 1:1, 14)—the Lord, the King of Glory and grace. Relationship with God is available by trusting in Jesus, not in ourselves or our efforts to please God.
Make it personal...
Read through the Scripture text again as you consider and answer these questions
Are you aware of your innate need to have a relationship with God?
If you have a relationship with God—how did you come into this relationship? What led to it?
If you don't have a relationship with God—what causes you to be in awe or say "wow"?
Are you willing to question the purpose of your life in an honest, open way, and to see what God's purpose is for your life?
Would you like a free study guide for your study of Psalms?