“Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty; He is the King of glory.” Psalm 24:9-10
Just for a moment, try to imagine that you were born to the richest man in this world, grew up in a palace and got accustomed to having the very best of everything. Whatever your heart desired was what you received; the finest garments and nourishment that money could buy and your life was seemingly perfect. Then your dad took you aside and told you about a plan that he had in mind for you. He was going to send you to Gonaives, Haiti and the boy in the attached photo would be your brother and when you were old enough, the shorts he is wearing would become your shorts.
Our Savior left Heaven to come to earth and be born in a stable in Bethlehem to a humble, but blessed couple with few resources; and after three decades He was nailed to a cross by the people He came to save. We have so much to be thankful for this Advent season; prepare the way for the King of glory; give thanks for all that He has done. I will close the devotion today with the words from the hymn ‘Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates’ that was written by Georg Weissel in 1624.
“Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates! Behold, the King of Glory waits; the King of kings is drawing near, the Savior of the world is here. Life and salvation He doth bring, wherefore rejoice and gladly sing: we praise Thee, Father, now, Creator, wise art Thou! A Helper just He comes to thee, His chariot is humility, His kingly crown is holiness, His scepter, pity in distress, the end of all our woe He brings; wherefore the earth is glad and sings: we praise Thee, Savior, now, mighty in deed art Thou! O blest the land, the city blest, where Christ the Ruler is confessed! O happy hearts and happy homes to whom this King in triumph comes! The cloudless Sun of joy He is, who bringeth pure delight and bliss. We praise Thee, Spirit, now, our Comforter art Thou! Fling wide the portals of your heart; make it a temple set apart from earthly use for Heaven's employ, adorned with prayer and love and joy. So shall your Sovereign enter in and new and nobler life begin. To Thee, O God, be praise for word and deed and grace! Redeemer, come! I open wide my heart to Thee; here, Lord, abide! Let me Thy inner presence feel, Thy grace and love in me reveal; Thy Holy Spirit guide us on until our glorious goal is won. Eternal praise and fame we offer to Thy name.”
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay