I don’t know about you, but I constantly struggle with my performance. I struggle with my performance as a husband, as a father, as a pastor, and as a child of God. I fear failure. I constantly ask myself if I am good enough, and I constantly feel that I am not.
I know that this is a universal struggle across humanity. Are we good enough, especially good enough for God?
This past Sunday, we saw David ask that question in Psalm 24. “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place?”
I’m not gonna lie. The standard is too great and too high: “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully… such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.”
Can we ever be good enough to ascend the hill of the Lord? Can we ever be good enough to climb the ladder up to God? The answer is plain and simple. No. It is impossible.
Then, what is our hope? It’s not in our own ability to go up to God. But, it’s in God’s grace to come down to us. What is impossible with man is possible with God.
“Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle!”
Our strong and mighty Lord is the One who has come down to us. His name is Jesus Christ. He is the One who has ascended the hill of the Lord for us. He has won the victory over our failures and sins by taking them up on the cross. And now, He brings us up into God’s holy hill.
We can ascend the hill of the Lord, because Christ descended upon the hill of Calvary. We can stand in God’s holy presence, because on the cross, Christ experienced God’s wrathful absence. We can receive the righteousness and blessing of God, because on the cross, Christ took on the condemnation and curse of God for us.
Is Christ this King of Glory for you? Has He brought you up into God’s presence?
The truth of this good news should free you from the chains of performance. Live in the freedom that you cannot meet God’s standard of perfection, but you know Christ is the One who has. Trust in Him and live your life in surrender.
Then, your life will give this King the glory He deserves. You will have the freedom and the joy of serving the Lord and the people around you in the grace of the gospel. Go live in that grace.
Come out to the Romans study (Friday @7:30pm) which has been a blessing! Hope to see you then. If not, I look forward to worshiping with all of you on the Lord’s Day.
In Christ,
Pastor Tim
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