Who may climb the mountain of the Lord and enter where he lives?
Who may stand before the Lord? Only those with pure hands and hearts, who do not practice dishonesty and lying.
Higher up the Mountain
by Pam Smith
Psalm 24:3, LB
The way is open for us to climb the mountain with the Good Shepherd. Sometimes it seems impossible, and we think, ‘no way can I climb that holy hill to God’. But the journey just starts with one step! So, let’s put our hand firmly in His hand and go with Him.
He leads us beside the still waters, through green pastures, restoring our souls as we go. When we fall it isn’t fatal. For He picks us up, sets us on our feet again and encourages us with His gentle words. And when there are rocks and crevices and it’s too hard to walk, then He carries us.
The answer to the question ‘Who may climb the mountain of the Lord and enter where he lives? Who may stand before the Lord?’ in Psalm 24:3 is: ‘Only those with pure hands and hearts, who do not practice dishonesty and lying’.
I believe the Lord is saying something to each one of us and it’s this: ‘If you aren’t practising dishonesty or lying, You may enter. For I have made your heart pure through My sacrifice. I have made your hands clean through My words, and I have invited you to come with Me’. As we climb higher the path will get brighter and we will begin to see more clearly. ‘But the good man walks along in the ever-brightening light of God’s favour; the dawn gives way to morning splendour.’ (Proverbs 4:18).
We will start seeing things from His perspective. A view from the lowlands is very different from the one higher up the mountain. We will see with more wisdom and the revelation will become deeper. As we trust His love, our love will begin to grow stronger. Our heart will begin to grow warmer. As we climb higher we may find ourselves reaching out and helping others over their rough places and encouraging them.
The view from the top can be breathtaking. As we reach the heights with the Shepherd, we can then go with Him into the deep places in people’s lives, where He bends down to comfort and restore the lost sheep, the broken lambs that He loves.
Prayer: Jesus, lead me up the mountain, where the whitest robes are seen – where the saints can see the fountain, where we may be pure and clean. Lead me higher up the mountain, give me fellowship with Thee. In Thy light I see the fountain, and the blood is cleansing me. Amen.
Pam Smith has a background in art and nursing, has a son and two daughters and six grandchildren. She has been a friend and helper of Ellel Ministries since l992, and has been involved with Healing Through Creativity Courses. As writer of the Shepherd Love Series, she has a passion for the comfort and encouragement that leads people towards enjoying abundant Life in Jesus.
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