“Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. 8 Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, invincible in battle. 9 Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter.10 Who is the King of glory? The Lord of Heaven’s Armies—he is the King of glory. ” Psalm 24:7-10
“For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!” Psalm 84:10-12
God our King of Glory,
When I read Psalm 24 and these verses I quite often play the hallelujah chorus in my mind to try and imagine all heavens Armies sing Your praises! Psalm 24 was perhaps written for when David returned the Ark to the Temple in Jerusalem. The symbol of God dwelling in the midst of HIs people. They were trying to picture the magnificence, power and glory of the King of Heaven deigning to visit, let alone dwell, in a Temple among them.
Now with hindsight we also see Christ, magnificent, powerful over sin and death and all glorious, at one with the Father deigning to enter our hearts! Our little, sometimes wayward not able to be sinless hearts. And when we open up to this Lord of Heaven’s Armies and King of glory, we find acceptance, forgiveness and grace. Giving us purpose, direction, strength and so, so much love.
In remembering that there is no Temple on earth big enough to be Your dwelling place we are humbled that You choose to live in us by Your Holy Spirit. Cleaning out our little wayward hearts – because Jesus paid with his blood on the cross. Faith to battle with sin, the enemy and the natural ups and downs of life.
Help us to open those gates of our hearts fully to You. Help us oil them, keep them from rust and let You in every part of our lives. And help us remember yes, Jesus, You are gentle, meek and mild, but also the King of Glory, the Lord strong and mighty, invincible in battle. A friend but first of all Lord.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
God, King of Glory,
For all our family, friends and neighbours. We bring our worry, our anguish, our joy and our hopes for each of them
For our church fellowships, ministers, officials, congregations. For help to continue and grow.
For all those involved in Christian radio and TV, Song of Praise and leading singing in church.
For those drowning in debt and low incomes. Help and support.
For King Charles, the Queen and the royal family in their family difficulties.
For our government and their families. That Your will be done in these complicated times.
For Ukraine a withdrawal of Russian troops. Peace an end to war.
For all areas where there is war, military oppression and civil war. Myanmar, Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan, North Korea, Nigeria . . .
For those who find themselves in deep water literally or struggling with health or trauma.
For our local community neighbours, doctors, dentists, police and schools.
For all those who provide essential help in our community, food banks, district nurses, home helps, friends, neighbours, family.
For ourselves, a blessed day filled with contentment, support, and direction where needed.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 16th January 2024
I could not resist a clip of the hallelujah chorus at the end. I just love it.
Open the gates for the King of Kings (Men)
Open the gates for the King of Kings (Women)
Open the gates for the King of Kings (Men)
Open the gates for the King of Kings (Women)
Prepare the way of the Lord (Men)
Prepare the way of the Lord (Women)
Prepare the way of the Lord (Men)
Prepare the way of the Lord (Women)
Hosanna (Men)
Hosanna (Women)
Hosanna (Men)
Hosanna (Women)
Hosanna (All)