1 The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, 2 for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.5 He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Psalm 24:1-6 (ESV)
Climbing Everest
Imagine having to climb Mount Everest (the tallest Mountain in the World). Ask yourself, “what would I need to carry up the mountain?” We might say things like “water”, “food”, “proper clothing”, and in the case of Mount Everest “oxygen tanks”. Ask yourself this other question; “what would cause me to be unqualified or disqualified from climbing up the mountain?” One main thing that would hinder you from such an expedition is that you are not fit enough. Another might be that you do not have access to the necessary resources, or that you don’t have the recommended experience in climbing.
Before climbing to Mount Everest climbers have to do a series of medical checks and acclimatisation techniques, as it takes about two (2) months to climb the mountain! You first land at an airport in the small town of Lukla, Nepal, which is like over 9,000 ft in elevation. Then you go on a two-week hike to the mountain’s base camp which is over 17,500 ft in elevation. Then, when you start climbing the mountain, you go until you reach Camp 1 (20,000 ft), stay there awhile, go up to Camp 2 (21,000 ft), stay there awhile, go to Camp 2 (22,300 ft), stay there awhile, then go back down to Camp 1 to resupply before going back to Camp 3 to stay there awhile again. Then you go to the final rest spot, Camp 4 (26,000 ft), before heading for and reaching the mountain’s summit (almost 30,000 ft).
The Real Challenge: Climbing “the Hill of the LORD“
It’s one thing to ask, “what do I need for such a trip?”. It’s a totally different thing to ask, “can or should I even make such a trip?”. But King David is presenting to us a mountain even greater than Everest and all other mountains. This mountain is simply called “the hill of the LORD”. Now, geographically, we know that hills are shorter than mountains. But why does David present this climb as such a monumental task. “Who could truly ascend it?” he asks, showing that its not that easy. He then gives the solution; only him with “clean hands and a pure heart”. So it wasn’t necessarily a question of just “what would I need” or “can I” ascend the hill of God. It was more a question of, “am I worthy?”.
The Worthy Ones: Those Who Seek Him
Who would you describe as someone “most worthy” to climb Mount Everest? The people who I would describe as being “most worthy” to climb mount Everest would be those who always desired to climb it. There are some people who dream of being explorers, with climbing Everest being somewhat of a life goal. In that same way, you should ask yourself, “who is worthy to ascend the hill of the LORD?”. Many more persons might say “me, I am worthy!”. But do you desire it? When you read stories of the climbers of Mount Everest, they didn’t just get up one day and say, “you know what, I never wanted to, but I think I’ll just climb the mountain for no reason”. No, these men and women dreamt about it, they planned it for years, they prepared themselves logistically and medically, and they invested into the trip. They set the time aside to make the journey, and they got the help from others that they needed. Some took much time, spent a lot of money, sacrificed basic comforts, all for the goal of climbing the mountain. They desired Everest! But do you truly desire the hill of the LORD?
King David said, in verse 4, “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.” The worthy ones are those who seek the LORD. The seekers of the LORD have (1) Clean Hands, (2) Pure Hearts, (3) Truthful Souls, and (4) Purified Mouths. All of these things are achieved not on our own strength, as with climbers of Everest. Instead, the solution is given here in the scripture. Such things will be given to those who seek the LORD. If you truly desire Him He will in no way cast you away. If you seek after Him He will clean and purify you, making you a new creation.
The Three-Step Journey for those who truly desire to seek Him
Step#1 – Purity
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
St. Matthew 5:8 (ESV)
Everyone will stand before God. But not everyone will see Him in the same way. The pure in heart are the ones who will see the LORD and see Him as the giver of their eternal reward. He will greet the pure in heart with the greatest of declarations; “well done, good and faithful servant”. To the impure in heart, however, it will be another command; “depart from me, worker of iniquity, I never knew you”. Now, Matthew 7 tells us that some people would come to him and state how many demons they cast out and how they prophesied in His name. Yet, the King of Glory would still tell them, “Depart from me”. If these people were casting out demons and prophesying, shouldn’t they be believers? Well, externally they seemed to be so, but internally they were not pure in heart.
What does it mean to be pure in heart? What qualifies me to be pure in heart so that I can see God?
Qualifier #1: His Spirit has sealed you
However, you are not [living] in the flesh [controlled by the sinful nature] but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God lives in you [directing and guiding you]. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him [and is not a child of God].
Romans 8:9 (AMP)
We are sealed by His Spirit when we repent of our sins. His Spirit communicates with our own spirit nature to let us know that we a children of God (Romans 8:16). The sealing of His Spirit introduces the action of His Spirit in and through us. His Spirit comforts, heals, convicts, corrects, and teaches us. His Spirit helps us during the sanctification process, allowing us to becoming less like our old selves and more like Christ.
Qualifier #2: His Word is in you
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you;let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:9-11 (ESV)
The washing of the Word of God purifies us (Ephesians 5:26-27). His very Word in us is what helps to keep us pure, to keep us on the straight and narrow path of righteousness. His very Word that governs all things and processes also is the standard for all righteousness and truth. His all encompassing Word must therefore be in our hearts and seen in our lives. His Word shows us how to pray, love, live, and be prepared for His return or whenever He may call us home.
Qualifier #3: His Fruit comes from you
18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
St. Matthew 7:18-20 (ESV)
We are called not just to be saved and sanctified but also to be fruitful. In Galatians 5:22-23, the Apostle Paul lays out for us nine (9) aspects of the fruit that the Spirit produces; Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. After His Spirit has sealed and filled us, and His Word is in us, we will produce the requisite fruit that every believer should produce. It would not be a situation where we’re being fake or hypocritical. Instead, it will be an authentic Holy Spirit-led process that is guided and strengthened by the action of the Word of God.
Step#2 – Purpose
I remember the Holy Spirit ministering this to me one time. There are three scriptures that show forth Christ ultimate mandate and purpose for His disciples. These three scripture verses capture our core reason for existing.
Scripture #1:
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are, and were created.”
Revelation 4:11 (KJV)
Scripture #2:
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
St. Matthew 16:24-26 (KJV)
Scripture #3:
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
St. Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV)
These three scripture passages show three important aspects of our existence:
(1) The reason for our existence: Revelation 4:11 shows that we were made for God’s pleasure. God made us because He loves us. We are expressions not just of His creativity but of His love.
(2) The requirements of our existence: Matthew 16:24-26 show that we must be surrendered and obedient to the will of God. This entails denying ourselves and following Christ while embracing our own crosses. Part of your purpose in life is not just about acquiring (big houses, fancy cars, lots of money, personal success, degrees, etc.). Your purpose would be understood when you embrace true and complete surrender to the will of God. This is required of us, to be surrendered and to present ourselves as faithful stewards, watchmen, and servants.
(3) The fruit of our existence: Matthew 28:18-20 shows that we must win souls and produce disciples for the Kingdom. As we said earlier, our lives must be fruitful, first by the expression of the fruit of the Spirit. Then such fruit must be outwardly seen, the results of which would be effective soul-winning (evangelism) and soul development (discipleship).
Step #3 – Place
12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
Revelation 22:12-14 (ESV)
The enemy desires to hinder us from achieving purity in Christ. That is because a purified people understand there purpose, and a purpose-driven people would always understand there place in Christ, or rather, where they stand in and with Christ. Have you ever asked yourself this question, “is God pleased with me right now?”. Or how about this question, “if I die now, am I really going to heaven or is there unsurety?”. When you understand what it means to be pure in Christ and when you understand your purpose, you will always be aware of your place in and with Him.
If you sin, He is your advocate, not your judge. He is your legal representative in the courts of heaven. He makes intercession for us and is the constant representative of our redemption to all, both to God Almighty and the angels, and also to the powers of darkness. This means that when we are seen by spiritual entities, Christ is seen in and with us. You must live a life appreciating His grace, mercy and representation.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)
Would Christ always be our advocate, our representative? Well, He desires to, and He’s offering such a blessing to all. But there is a time when His representation services would no longer be available. In that day He would no longer be an advocate, but a judge. All flesh would be judged by Him; it’s up to us to decide in what state would we be in when we stand before Him. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling continually, and always be assured that a repentant, surrendered and obedient life is always in the right place with Him.
Conclusion
In this age of confusion, I have made the choice to be part of the generation that chooses to seek the face of God. This is the stance that we must take as believers. It is no more time to be “one foot in, one foot out” believers. Instead, we must all see our ambassadorial role in this earth for the Kingdom of God. And such a role can only be realised and lived when people come to having a desire and reverence for their LORD and Saviour. If there are people who desire to climb mountains that will be flattened someday, what is stopping us from desiring to ascend the mountain that will stand for all eternity? Those who seek Him are those who desire Him. So, desire Him today!
Beacon Of Flavor 