New: 21 May 2025
Ascending into
God's Presence
Psalms 24, 15
Who may ascend into the hill
of the LORD?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle?
Who may dwell in Your holy hill?
Psalms 24:3; 15:1 NKJV
The Holiness of God
God is holy; God is pure; God is prefect. This is His nature. Entering His presence requires holiness. Those who draw near to God must do so with purity and reverence. Given the holiness of God, the psalmist asked, who may ascend into the dwelling place of God? He also gives us the answers. But before we look at them, the opening of Psalm 24 is worth noting.
The earth was created by God and therefore belongs to God (Psalm 24:1-2). He is the Creator and Life-giver of all of creation. He upholds all things by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:1-3). As Creator, all worship is due to Him (Revelation 4:11). He is the Holy One, the Almighty (v 8), who Isaiah saw in his vision (Isaiah 6:1-3). God is holy and worthy of all honour, praise and worship. Honour and glory are due to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, alone wise (1 Timothy 1:17).
Entering God's presence requires 'clean hands' and a 'pure heart,' free of all idolatry and deceitfulness (Psalm 24:4). In the words of Jesus, 'Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God' (Matthew 5:8; cf., Hebrews 12:14). According to the psalmist, those who come before God with purity and dedication shall receive 'blessing from the LORD' and 'righteousness from the God of his salvation' (Psalm 24:5). Being made righteous by God brings salvation. Those who call on the Name of Yahweh shall be saved (Romans 10:13). God knows His own, a people created for His praise who call on Him with pure hearts and abstaining from iniquity as vessels of honour (2 Timothy 2:19-22). Such people honour His name by abiding in biblical doctrine (1 Timothy 6:1, 3). It is, in the words of the psalmist, 'the generation of those who seek Him,' who seek God's face (Psalm 24:6). As we have seen in previous reflections on psalms, true strength comes to those who seek His face (e.g., Psalm 27:8, see E4; Psalm 105:4, E26; Psalm 84, see E37).
The King of Glory
Yahweh is 'the King of glory' (Psalm 24:7-10). The God we may approach with pure hearts, is the One who is 'strong and mighty' (v 8), the Lord of the armies (v 10). Yahweh fought great battles on behalf of His people (e.g., Exodus 13—15; Judges 4—5). Others trusted in horses and chariots (the major military equipment of ancient times, comparable to modern-day tanks), but God's people trusted in the name of the Lord, for the King answered them when they called on Him. The enemy fell, yet God's people rose and stood firm (Psalm 20:5-9). King Jesus, God's Son, will return to earth as the King of kings to judge the living and the dead, and put a complete end to all evil. He will rule the rebellious nations with a rod of iron as King over all nations (Revelation 2:26-28; cf., Psalm 2:6-9). We are wise to be humble in reverence before the great King (Psalm 2:10-12).
And Moses said to Aaron, 'This is what the LORD spoke, saying, "By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified".'
Leviticus 10:3 NKJV
Uprightness and Truth
There is much corruption, fraud and deceit in the world. This kind of evil causes much suffering on the innocent ones who are powerless to fight those in power. Yet, there are values that matter more than earthly wealth and power—uprightness and truth. The moral universe is bent towards justice and one day everyone will reap what they have sown. We can trust the King of glory to speak and execute righteous judgment in the earth and set things right again. In the meantime, we are to trust Him and do good (Psalm 37; see E2) and not be overcome by evil but overcome evil by doing good (Romans 12:21).
The psalmist reflected on ascending into God's presence by emphasising uprightness and truth. Those who draw near to God must do so with uprightness. It is for the one who 'walks uprightly,' 'works righteousness,' and 'speaks truth in his heart' (Psalm 15:2). All things flow from our heart; we must, therefore, guard it with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23). Many people allow their pain to turn to bitterness. From such a heart flows wickedness, not righteousness. They allow their suffering to corrupt them and become deceitful in their hearts. This is not the way we are to handle pain and suffering. There is a better way. We must remain pure in heart: walk uprightly, work righteousness and be truthful in all things.
Backbiting, slander, gossip are evil deeds (Psalm 15:3). We are to love our neighbour (Leviticus 19:18), not bear false witness or do evil against our neighbour, nor hate or cheat anyone (vv 10-18). Love is the highest and most important commandment (Matthew 22:37-40). It is the fulfilment of the whole Law (Romans 13:8-10) and the true expression of freedom (Galatians 5:13-14). People who hate and do evil expose an evil heart. They are, figuratively speaking, a bad tree bearing bad fruit (Luke 6:43-44). A good person brings forth good things from a good heart (v 45). Note, how these truths stand in context with building your house on the rock, rather than on sand (vv 46-49). Yet another clear indication that living your life in obedience to God's word (vv 47-48), in relation to His Lordship (v 46), is the right way. It brings stability. All lies and deceit will bring only ruin. Therefore, choose God's ways; choose uprightness and truth.
Honesty and Honour
Honesty leads to honour. Being a vile person is dishonourable (Psalm 15:4a). Loving purity of heart will display gracious speech and leads to honour, even before dignitaries (Proverbs 22:11). Pride leads to destruction; humility to honour (Proverbs 18:12; 16:18). We are to honour those who revere God and walk uprightly before Him (Psalm 15:4b). Their honour is such that they will keep their promises, even if it is to their own hurt (v 4c). It is better not to make an oath than to make an oath and not keep it (see Ecclesiastes 5:2-5; cf., Matthew 5:33-37). The honest person is the honourable person. This will also reflect in the use of money and the attitude towards the poor, vulnerable and innocent (Psalm 15:5). Money can be used to do great good or great harm. The pure in heart will do good with the resources available to them. Evil people will use money to cause evil to their own advantage even at the peril of the weak of society.
Drawing Near to God
All of the above relates to ascending into the presence of God. Those who draw near to God must regard Him as holy. Their worship and reverence must reflect their pure heart to glorify Him and honour His holy Name (Leviticus 10:3; Matthew 6:9-10). Our worship of God should first and foremost reflect His holiness and our honour for Him. Worship is for God. He is holy. There is no other place on earth that compares to the beauty and power of God's presence. His nearness is good (Psalm 73:28), His dwelling places 'lovely' (Psalm 84:1).
Jesus, in the New Covenant, made accessible 'a new and living way' to draw near to God and His holy presence (Hebrews 11:19-21) for those who draw near with 'a true heart in full assurance of faith,' sins forgiven and a guilty conscience cleansed by His blood (v 22). We hold unto the confession of hope in Christ, for our Saviour is faithful (v 23). As an expression of this great salvation, we care for others and humbly exhort them to remain faithful to Him who will hold all people accountable one Day (vv 24-25). As we draw near to God, He draws near to us. Those who will repent, will find mercy in honesty and grace in humility (James 4:4-10).
God is good to those who are upright and pure in heart (Psalm 73:1). He will bless those who ascend into His presence with a pure heart. May you find the nearness of God to be your comfort and strength in life.