The Rev. Sally Henry '12, Pastor, Sardis Presbyterian Church, Linden, N.C.

Scripture

Psalm 24

1 The earth is the LORD's and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it;
2 for he has founded it on the seas,
and established it on the rivers.
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,
who do not lift up their souls to what is false,
and do not swear deceitfully.
5 They will receive blessing from the LORD,
and vindication from the God of their salvation.
6 Such is the company of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah
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 the King of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted 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

Devotional

Ever since my friend and fellow Seminary student Shea Cole ’12 wrote a song to this Psalm (listen now; click King of Glory), it has consistently brought me to a place of worship every time I listen to the song or read the Psalm. Its words lead me to recognize again and again God’s kingship in all aspects of life. He brings order in chaos. He brings provision in need. He brings power in weakness. He is my king. And amazingly enough, despite my continued lack of total righteous living, he still pursues me, comes to me, and bids me to let him in, even more, to every recess of my life…

Lift up your heads, O you gates! Look! The King of glory wants to abide in you, LIVE in you! Be reminded this Advent season that we have a King in Jesus Christ. May all we do be worship to our King!

Prayer

O Lord you are our King. Even in this world where the idea of kingship is foreign, we can claim you as King – because you are not of this world. You pursue us, you love us, and yet we don’t always welcome you into every corner of our lives. Forgive us, O God. Help us to “lift up our heads.” Help us to open our eyes and our hearts and to welcome you, our King of glory, to enter in – in all your fullness and glory – and take up permanent residence. Help us to use this season of Advent as an opportunity to welcome and worship you even more fully in our lives. We give you all thanks and praise, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Rev. Sally Henry '12, Pastor, Sardis Presbyterian Church, Linden, N.C.

Scripture

Psalm 24

1 The earth is the LORD's and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it;
2 for he has founded it on the seas,
and established it on the rivers.
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,
who do not lift up their souls to what is false,
and do not swear deceitfully.
5 They will receive blessing from the LORD,
and vindication from the God of their salvation.
6 Such is the company of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah
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 the King of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted 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

Devotional

Ever since my friend and fellow Seminary student Shea Cole ’12 wrote a song to this Psalm (listen now; click King of Glory), it has consistently brought me to a place of worship every time I listen to the song or read the Psalm. Its words lead me to recognize again and again God’s kingship in all aspects of life. He brings order in chaos. He brings provision in need. He brings power in weakness. He is my king. And amazingly enough, despite my continued lack of total righteous living, he still pursues me, comes to me, and bids me to let him in, even more, to every recess of my life…

Lift up your heads, O you gates! Look! The King of glory wants to abide in you, LIVE in you! Be reminded this Advent season that we have a King in Jesus Christ. May all we do be worship to our King!

Prayer

O Lord you are our King. Even in this world where the idea of kingship is foreign, we can claim you as King – because you are not of this world. You pursue us, you love us, and yet we don’t always welcome you into every corner of our lives. Forgive us, O God. Help us to “lift up our heads.” Help us to open our eyes and our hearts and to welcome you, our King of glory, to enter in – in all your fullness and glory – and take up permanent residence. Help us to use this season of Advent as an opportunity to welcome and worship you even more fully in our lives. We give you all thanks and praise, in Jesus’ name. Amen.