According to scholars, the context of Psalm 24 is that of the occasion when the Ark was brought up to Mt Zion, and into the temple in Jerusalem. Thus, the psalmist asks, "Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord?" (v 3). The answer? Those with "clean hands and a pure heart; and those who desire not worthless things (v 4). These kinds of people are those with just actions, holy dispositions, and discerning God's ways.The psalmist says they are worthy to climb "the mountain of the Lord" and "to stand in His holy place."

By this time, we may think we will never be worthy enough to climb this "mountain of the Lord"; we will never be good enough "to stand in His holy place" - we will never be in God's sanctuary, God's presence.

Before we lose hope, let me share with you "a mountain experience." At a retreat, I had a vision of a very huge and high mountain. Then I heard a voice saying to me, "Climb it." The mountain was so high that at the tip of it was snow. And there I was, at the bottom, just a tiny human figure. As I paused and looked at the mountain, wondering how I shall climb it, two hands appeared in the sky. And coming down to me, released from these hands, were white hosts. Then the voice said, "Eat it. You'll need it for the journey."

Be encouraged - God will help us climb "the mountain of the Lord" and "stand in His holy place" as we seek God, as we seek the face of God.