When you climb the Mountain of the Lord
Metaphor and imagery are musts when it comes to gaining the most from scripture. The strong visuals we create in our minds help us live into our faith not just beautifully but specifically.
This is the case in Psalm 24, a lesser rehearsed yet powerful writing that immediately follows Psalm 23 which includes the widely practiced and familiar The Lord’s Prayer.
Psalm 24 begins with a journey, a mountain climb. After succinctly declaring the earth and everything in it is the Lord’s, a question arrives. The psalmist asks, “Who may climb the mountain of the Lord (v.3)?”
We are wise to stop and ask ourselves who, exactly, can climb this mountain. What is required in this climb? Is experience helpful? Is this climb for the faint of heart, the fearless, or both?
These questions are important. A pause here is important, too. The pause gives us time to wonder. The metaphor and imagery I mentioned can expand, and even settle.
We wonder. Can I climb this holy mountain? If so, will I make it halfway, or will I find triumph, even for a moment, at its summit?
The psalmist helps us through these questions. Only those whose hands and hearts are pure complete this climb. Those who do not worship idols and never tell lies reach the top (v.4).
This excludes me. If you’re honest, this excludes you, too. My hands and heart are not always pure. Yours aren’t, either. The Apostle Paul speaks of sinfulness in Romans 8:6-11. Here the sinner turned saint encourages us. While we are indeed sinful, he shares a truth that sets us free. We do not to be controlled by our sinful nature.
Instead, we can be led by a Spirit controlled nature. This Spirit controlled nature leads to life and peace. Paul says we are controlled by the Spirit if we have the Spirit of God living in us.
Paul affirms that if Christ lives within you (and yes, Christ can live in you), then even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit of God within you gives you eternal life.
There’s more. Just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, Paul affirms God will give life to your mortal bodies by the Spirit living within you.
Let’s get back to the psalm and the mountain. With the Spirit of God living in you (and yes, once again, the Spirit of God can live within you should you choose to have the Spirit of God living within you), go and climb. Yes, climb.
The author of Psalm 42 says those who climb the mountain of the Lord will receive the Lord’s blessings. Additionally, those who climb will have a right relationship with God our Savior (v.5).
So, let’s climb. Faulty as we are, fumbling as we are, and (gulp!) as experienced in failure as we are, yes, let’s climb. Let’s do this. In your community of faith, or in a community of faith you can find and become a part of, the climb is one that is neither solo nor daunting. Instead, it’s filled with companionship, inspiration, information, some fun and always joy.
It’s filled with companionship, inspiration, information, some fun and always joy because with each gentle and sometimes challenging rise we meet the King of glory. Specifically, each step we take is an encounter with the One the psalmist calls the King of glory.
I imagine the psalmist was much like Paul (and each of us mountain climbers). Our author tells us the King of glory is the Lord who is strong, mighty, and invincible in battle (v.8).
According to Paul and other contributors in the New Testament, the strength and might of this King—our King—is unlike anything an earthly king can possess. This King from eternity has the power, authority, and sovereignty of the earth and everything in it because He gave up His power, authority, and sovereignty.
How? Rather than kill, He chose to be killed.
I get it. The psalmist and Paul gets it, too. There are days we don’t feel like climbing. We think we don’t have the energy, drive, or commitment to take more than a step or two. An entire mountain climb?
Yikes.
Even if you’ve taken a step or several steps backwards, take a step anyway. The Spirit of God within in you isn’t just at the top of the mountain. When you climb the mountain of the Lord, the Spirit is with you each step (and sidestep) along the way.
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