Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr.

Psalm 24: The Powerful King of Glory Who Brings Renewal

• James Long

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Title: Psalm 24: The Powerful King of Glory Who Brings Renewal

Short Description

Psalm 24 reminds us that the earth belongs to the Lord, that He desires clean hands and pure hearts, and that He reigns as the victorious King of Glory. In this episode, discover how this psalm speaks to your emotional, relational, and spiritual struggles, offering hope, guidance, and renewal as you open your life to God’s presence.

Episode Highlights

  • God owns all creation and sustains every life (Psalm 24:1–2).
  • We are called to live with clean hands and pure hearts, both outwardly and inwardly (Psalm 24:3–6).
  • True holiness flows from God’s grace through Christ, not from religious performance.
  • Healing involves both inward transformation and outward integrity.
  • The psalm culminates with the victorious entrance of the King of Glory (Psalm 24:7–10).
  • Jesus fulfills this psalm as the true King who triumphed over sin and death.
  • We are invited to welcome Christ’s reign daily into our relationships, struggles, and decisions.

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ABOUT JAMES and LESSONS FOR LIFE

Are you seeking hope, wisdom, and practical solutions to life’s challenges? Dr. James Long, Jr., pastor, counselor, and professor with over 30 years of experience, helps people discover God’s solutions to emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges. Each episode of Lessons for Life points you to the peace and freedom found in Jesus Christ.

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Speaker 1:

Hello everyone, it's James Long Jr, and do me a favor and grab your Bible and a journal and let's turn to Psalm 24. Psalm 24 calls us to lift our heads and open our hearts to the King of Glory. This psalm not only declares God's sovereign rule over all creation, but also invites us into his presence with clean hands and pure hearts. It is a rich source of hope and direction for those seeking emotional, relational, mental and spiritual renewal. Psalm 24 is a victory hymn, a processional psalm, likely sung by God's people as they approach the temple after a great deliverance. It begins with affirming that everything belongs to the Lord because he made it, and then a liturgical dialogue at the temple gate. The question is raised who may ascend the hill of the Lord? The answer is clear those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who seek God above all else. Finally, the psalm crescendos with the triumphant entrance of the King of Glory. For Christians, this psalm not only recalls the Ark of the Covenant entering Jerusalem, but it also points us to Palm Sunday, when Christ, the true King of Glory, entered the city to secure our salvation. It speaks today as well, calling us to examine our hearts, live in holiness and joyfully welcome the Lord's reign over every part of our lives. Joyfully welcome. The Lord's reign over every part of our lives. The first section is the sovereign Lord of all.

Speaker 1:

Psalm, chapter 24, verses 1 through 2. The psalm begins with a sweeping declaration that earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and all those who dwell therein. God's ownership extends to every place and every person. This is not poetic exaggeration, it's a theological fact. He founded the earth upon the seas and established it upon the rivers, showing his supremacy over forces that the ancient people viewed as chaotic or divine. This truth steadies us in times of uncertainty, when the pressures of life feel overwhelming, when conflict threatens your relationships, when mental strain weighs heavily, when emotions run high. Remember that you belong to the one who rules over all. You're not adrift in chaos. The King of Glory holds your life in his hands. The heart God welcomes.

Speaker 1:

Psalm, chapter 24, verses 3 through 6. The psalm shifts to a searching question who shall ascend the hill of the Lord and who shall stand in his holy place? The answer pierces to the heart 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. Now. Clean hands speak of the outward actions how we treat others, how we conduct ourselves at work, in our family and in our community. Pure hearts speak to the inner motives, our thoughts, desires and our loyalties. God desires integrity inside and out. He is not fooled by religious performance if the heart remains unyielded.

Speaker 1:

For Israelites, this standard underscored their need for God's cleansing through sacrifice For us. It reminds us that, apart from Christ, none of us could stand. But because Jesus entered the holy place for us, his righteousness is counted as ours by his spirit. He begins to make our hands clean and our hearts pure in real, daily ways In counseling. This passage is a reminder that healing is both inward and outward. A person battling shame may need to receive God's forgiveness at a heart level. Someone struggling with bitterness may need to act on the forgiveness towards others. Someone struggling with bitterness may need to act on the forgiveness towards others. God's blessing, his favor and vindication flow to those who seek him sincerely, humbly and dependently.

Speaker 1:

The Triumph of the King, psalm 24, verses 7-10. The psalm closes with a majestic call Lift up your heads, o gates, and be lifted up, o ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. This is more than poetic imagery. It's the original setting and it's likely describing the temple gates being opened wide for the Ark to enter, symbolizing God's victorious presence among his people. Spiritually, it is a picture of throwing wide the doors of our lives to the Lord's reign. Twice the question is asked who is the king of glory? And twice comes the answer the Lord strong and mighty. The Lord mighty in battle, the Lord of hosts, he is the king of glory. This is the God who conquers sin, fear and every force that opposes his people. In the Gospels, this scene finds its fulfillment when Jesus enters Jerusalem, not as a warrior with chariots, but as a humble king who would win a greater battle over sin and death. Today he still comes to those who will welcome him, not into a city, but into hearts and homes.

Speaker 1:

Now let's look at the doctrinal truths to remember. First, god owns everything because he created everything. We see that in verses 1 and 2, but we also see that in Colossians, chapter 1, verse 16. Second, holiness matters. God desires clean hands and pure hearts. We saw that in verse 4 here, but also you can see that in Matthew, chapter 5, verse 8. Third, god blesses those who seek him with favor and vindication. We saw that in verses 5 and 6 here, but you can also pick that up in Hebrews, chapter 11, verse 6. Next, christ is the true king of glory who entered Jerusalem to secure our salvation. We saw that in verses 7 through 10 here, but you can also see that in John, chapter 12, verses 12 through 15. And then, finally, we must open our lives to his reign, daily, welcoming his presence in every area. We'll see that in Revelation, chapter 3, verse 20.

Speaker 1:

Now let's take all of that doctrine and let's make it practical, practical theology, living out this psalm. The first thing we need to see is that begin each day by affirming God's ownership of your life and everything in it. Second, invite the Holy Spirit to search your hearts for hidden idols or deceit, and confess what he reveals. Third, practice integrity in speech and action, even when it costs you. Fourth, intentionally lift your heads when discouraged, remembering God's past victories in your life. And then, finally, consciously welcome Christ's presence in your home, work and relationships.

Speaker 1:

Now let's reflect and respond. Number one what areas of your life are hardest to surrender to God's ownership? Number two how does remembering that the earth is the Lord's change your view of daily challenges? Number three what might clean hands and a pure heart look like in your current season. 4. How can you guard your heart against false idols, things or people you might wrongly trust in? 5. In what ways do you need to lift up your heads to see God's victory in your circumstances? Do you need to lift up your heads to see God's victory in your circumstances? Number six how can you intentionally welcome the King of glory into your relationships this week? Number seven what specific action can you take to see God's face more diligently? Well, let's pray.

Speaker 1:

Father. We praise you as the maker and ruler of all. Through the Lord, jesus Christ, cleanse our hands and purify our hearts and, by the power of your Holy Spirit, help us to turn from false trust and deceitful ways. Lift up our heads when we are weary and open every part of our lives to the reign of the King of glory. In Jesus' name we pray Amen. Open the gates of your heart Now.

Speaker 1:

Psalm 24 calls us to worship the Creator King with holy lives and open hearts. It reminds us that only those cleansed by God's grace can stand in his presence and it invites us to welcome the victorious King of glory in every part of our lives. For those that are interested, we would encourage you to join our free navigator level of our Lessons for Life community at jameslongjrorg slash community for devotionals, meetups and training that will help you walk by faith, or explore one of our full memberships at jameslongjrorg slash. Sign up now for deeper coaching and content designed to help you grow in emotional, relational and spiritual wisdom. The king of glory is strong to save and gracious to reign. Lift up your heads, open the doors and let him in Well. Thanks again for being with us. We look forward to having you next time. Be blessed, take care.

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