Day 24.
7 Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may 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 gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory! Selah (ESV Ps 24:7-10)
To sing these words were reminiscent of the day the glory of the Lord filled the temple at the time of the temple dedication. It is also reminiscent of a triumphal entry of a war general returning victorious from battle and being welcomed back victorious into the city as a hero. Perhaps the closest image we might have today is the parade held to welcome back into town a victorious football team after winning a championship. But here is it of course more than that. It invites us to imagine greatness and strength and power. The Lord himself is entering the place.
With this scene in mind, we are to envision our corporate worship. The processional, which is sometimes an explicit element of worship in some church services, is reminiscent of this scene as the Lord enters the sanctuary. It is appropriate to envision this as the Lord inhabits the praises of His people. It is the people of God today that make up the temple of God. So when we gather corporately to worship, the Lord proceeds into our midst and we consequently worship. It is no light thing when we come together and worship.
What comes to mind when you begin your time of corporate worship on Sunday mornings?
Chronological Reading Plan plus Psalms: Ge 35-37, Ps 24
