Yesterday, in our worship service, we focused on God’s sovereignty as Creator; the owner of heaven and earth and everything in it. Think about it this way, God owns everything and our gratitude should constantly be focused toward Him. A spirit of thanksgiving must permeate believers.
We discussed how believers are no longer their own; we belong to God. Because of Jesus, our identity’s have been changed. We have been bought with the blood of Christ and our bodies are now temples of God. We are sons and daughters of the Most High. Therefore, how we live our lives needs to conform to God’s righteous standard if we are claiming to be his worshipers.
In our passage from the psalter today, we are reminded about the coming of the King of Glory—the Creator and Sovereign who is the object of our worship. As human beings covered by the blood of Jesus, we can now ascend to enjoy a vibrant and grace-provided relationship with God. We can worship him in Spirit and in Truth [Christ].
We must focus on Christ vs. ourselves. We came into this world with nothing and we leave with nothing. Our hands are empty and our souls have NO pockets. John Wesley put it this way, “When the Possessor of heaven and earth brought you into being, and placed you in this world, he placed you here not as a proprietor, but a steward.”
So, as stewards, we must manage resources God’s way, for God’s purposes, and for God’s glory. We are wise to hold things loosely. I’ve certainly learned that lesson this past year. We must learn to serve God with open hands and we choose to invest all things wisely to benefit the King and his Kingdom. So, this reality leads us back to remember, God owns it all!
It reminds me of a poem written by Martha Snell Nicholson—
One by one He took them from me,
All the things I valued most,
Until I was empty-handed;
Every glittering toy was lost.
And I walked earth’s highways, grieving,
In my rags and poverty.
Till I heard His voice inviting,
“Lift those empty hands to Me!”
So I held my hands toward Heaven,
And He filled them with a store
Of His own transcendent riches
Till they could contain no more.
And at last I comprehended
With my stupid mind and dull,
That God COULD not pour His riches
Into hands already full!
Psalm 24 NLT A psalm of David.
1
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.
The world and all its people belong to him.
2
For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas
and built it on the ocean depths.
3
Who may climb the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4
Only those whose hands and hearts are pure,
who do not worship idols
and never tell lies.
5
They will receive the Lord’s blessing
and have a right relationship with God their savior.
6
Such people may seek you
and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob.[a] Interlude
7
Open up, ancient gates!
Open up, ancient doors,
and let the King of glory enter.
8
Who is the King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty;
the Lord, invincible in battle.
9
Open up, ancient gates!
Open up, ancient doors,
and let the King of glory enter.
10
Who is the King of glory?
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies—
he is the King of glory.
Prayer: Father, as we move forward this week to celebrate Thanksgiving, we know our greatest expression of gratitude belongs to you. Because of our human spiritual poverty, you have chosen to extend the riches of Christ’s inheritance to believers. We thank you for grace and for the love that you have given us. We praise you our precious King of Glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.