The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; 2 for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. 3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. 5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. Selah

Have you ever met someone who is really famous or someone who holds world power? How would you react if you were invited to actually pay a visit to the Queen of England and have dinner with her? What if the invitation included all the arrangements with accommodations and paid tickets? Now, what if after a wonderful visit you were given a phone number and told that it was the private number of the Queen and that you were to feel free to call her and talk any time you pleased? I can’t answer for others but I would feel honored above explanation. I would be awe-stricken at the Royal Palace and at the personal presence of the Queen. I would be thrilled and filled with anticipation. I would probably tell all my family and friends as I anxiously waited on the appointed time.

We have each been personally invited to come before the God of heaven and earth. We have been invited to his Holy Place. He has provided all of the necessary arrangements and he has paid all of the costs. We can come to him and talk to him and share our innermost thoughts and feelings with him. He has given us his private number so that we don’t even have to make an appointment. When we accept the salvation that is offered thru Jesus, the Son of God, we not only are invited as his guests but we actually become part of his family.

What does he expect from us in return? We see in verse 4 above that he expects us to live with clean hands, a pure heart and put all our trust in him. While we can now see him and visit with him by faith, there will be a time soon when we will actually be in his visible presence and in his heavenly home – the Royal Palace that Jesus has promised to build for us!

O God, my Father, my Lord and my King, I praise you for your love, your goodness, your power and your majesty. You are the giver of life and the creator of all things. I owe you my very being, all that I am and all that I have and so I give you my heart and my life. Give me faith, strength, wisdom, courage and love to keep this commitment to you, one day at a time. To you I give all glory, praise and honor. I pray in the name of Jesus.

May God bless each of us as we honor him in our lives today.