LIFTED. Day 26 of Lent. May Christ come in.

LIFTED. Day 26 of Lent. May Christ come in.

Psalm 24 Of David.

Lift up your heads, O ye gates;
and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors;
and the King of glory shall come in.

Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates;

Even lift them up, ye everlasting doors;
and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

David wrote this psalm for the splendid entry and return of the ark of the covenant into the tent David pitched for it, or the temple Solomon built for it.

“Lift up your heads, O ye gates.” Sang one half of a great choir, calling upon the gates to throw themselves wide open to their full height, that complete entrance might be given to the approaching sacred ark of God.

“And be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors.” Was the answering reply of the other half of the choir, giving the emphasis of repetition, and adding the “everlasting,” because the tabernacle was viewed as about to be continued in the temple, and the temple was designed to be God’s house “forever” (1 Kings 8:13).

“And the King of glory shall come in.”  God was regarded as dwelling between the cherubim on the mercy-seat, where the Shechinah glory from time to time made its appearance. So the entrance of the ark into the tabernacle was thus the “coming in of the King of glory.”

The watchers at the gate hearing the song look over the battlements and ask, “Who is this King of glory?”
Who is He in person, nature, character, office and work?
What is his pedigree?
What his rank and what his heritage?
A question full of meaning and worthy of the meditations of all of eternity. The answer given in a mighty wave of music is,
“The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.”

We know the might of God by the battles which He has fought, the victories He has won over sin, and death, and hell, and in response we clap our hands as we see him leading the Host of heavens armies, majestic and glorious in His victorious strength as he enters in.

Though David wrote this song for a specific occasion we can also apply it forward to the ascension of Christ into heaven. Our Redeemer found the gates of heaven shut, but having by his blood made atonement for sin, as one having authority, he now demands entrance. The angels were to worship him and ask with wonder at His arrival, Who is he? It is answered, that Christ is strong and mighty; mighty in battle to save his people, and to subdue His and their enemies, winning the great victory over death and sin.

We may apply it also to Christ’s entrance into the souls of men by his word and Spirit at salvation, that they may be his temples. 
Behold, he stands at the door, and knocks, Rev 3:20. The gates and doors of man’s heart are to be opened to him, as possession is delivered to the rightful owner and Creator.

We may apply it to the broken spirit and contrite heart that God will not despise but instead the Spirit calls us to lift our faces up and receive the entrance of forgiveness and blessed favor of His love.

We may apply it to his second coming with glorious power. Lord, open the everlasting door to the Kingdom of Heaven that we may be numbered with the saints in glory and lifted up to You.

Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.