1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
    the world, and all who live in it;
2 for he founded it on the seas
    and established it on the waters.

3 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
    Who may stand in his holy place?
4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
    who does not trust in an idol
    or swear by a false god.

5 They will receive blessing from the Lord
    and vindication from God their Saviour.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
    who seek your face, God of Jacob.

7 Lift up your heads, you gates;
    be lifted up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord strong and mighty,
    the Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, you gates;
    lift them up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is he, this King of glory?
    The Lord Almighty –
    he is the King of glory.

I felt that I had to go back to psalm 24 one more time. So I tried to re-read it slowly, with an open heart, asking, ‘What is it you want to say, Lord?’ Here’s the challenge I felt: ‘How much holiness do you really want?’ By sheer grace and mercy we have this positional holiness in God’s sight, but how much practical, every day holiness do we desire? How far do we want to travel down the highway of holiness? To what extent are we prepared to be changed?

Someone said that, as a general principle, in the Christian life you tend to get what you go for. That is, so long as it is God’s clearly revealed will for us. There is no doubt that our personal holiness falls into this category. (See, e.g. 1 Thess.4:3).

Dr. J. Sidlow Baxter was a well-known and effective Bible teacher, and gifted writer. His life spanned most of the twentieth century (1903-1999). Not too long before he died at the age 96, he was visited by a younger friend who asked him, ‘How can I pray for you?’ I find his reply deeply moving, ‘Pray that I would be more holy.’

Prayer: Lord, I confess that there is still so much ‘Jacob’ (6) in me, but I long to be part of that blessed generation who seek you. Help me to lift up every gate and door, that I know the reality of ‘the King of glory’ within.