Psalm 24 – When Ownership Meets Eternity: A Wake-Up Call at 2 A.M.
“Key Passage: Psalm 24:1–6 (ESV) "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? 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. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah."
Psalm 24 powerfully reminds us that everything—our possessions, our lives, our world—belongs to God. It begins with a clear statement: "The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it." That one line is enough to change how we think. We are not owners—we are stewards.
David, the psalmist, grounds this truth in creation itself. God established the earth and placed it in its position. Because of that, everything within it belongs to Him—including us. That means every resource we have, every talent we use, and every dollar we spend are entrusted to us by a generous Creator.
Verses 3–6 then pose a thought-provoking question: Who can stand in God's holy presence? The answer isn’t about social status or wealth. It’s about the heart. It’s about living with clean hands, pure motives, and honest speech. Those who live this way, the psalm says, will receive blessing and righteousness from God.
This Psalm challenges the modern thinking that we should earn, consume, accumulate, and protect what's ours. Psalm 24 reminds us that none of it truly belongs to us. That job you work? That house you live in? That breath you just took? All of it belongs to God. And when we recognize this humbles us. It sets us free. It shifts our focus to seek God’s face above everything else.
That truth hit home for me in a very real way recently. In the middle of the night, I woke up with a crushing pain in my chest that felt like an impending heart attack. My mind raced. Was this it? Was I going to die right here in bed? It turned out to be an intense case of gastric reflux—but in that moment, nothing else mattered except God’s presence and the people I love. All the to-do lists, plans, and pressures evaporated. What mattered most was Him.
Psalm 24 became more than just a passage to me — it became a lifeline. A clear, sacred whisper that everything I have and everything I am belongs to the Lord. I don’t own a single heartbeat. My job is to steward what He gives, live with a pure heart, and seek His face.
Let this passage guide your worship, your priorities, and even your perspective during crises. Begin each day by acknowledging: "This is not mine. I belong to the Lord." That alone is a game changer.
“Do not be afraid.. for the Lord your God goes with you, He will never leave or forsake you”
