The Earth Belongs to the Lord

The Earth Belongs to the Lord

The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,

   the world, and those who live in it;

for he has founded it on the seas,

   and established it on the rivers.

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?

   And who shall stand in his holy place?

Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,

   who do not lift up their souls to what is false,

   and do not swear deceitfully.

They will receive blessing from the Lord,

   and vindication from the God of their salvation.

Such is the company of those who seek him,

   who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Psalm 24:1-6 

Psalm 24 is a beautiful song, full of deep themes that invite us to reflect on God, creation, and our part in it. As I read this passage, a few key ideas stand out to me.

The Sovereignty of the Creator: Psalm 24 reminds us that God is the Creator and ultimate authority over everything. He is the source, the parent, the author of the earth and all its contents. The psalm mentions the earth, seas, and rivers, painting a picture of harmony within creation. Through this, we glimpse an echo of the Creator in creation—balance, community, harmony and beauty.

Relationship, Responsibility, and Reciprocity: God has generously shared His creation with us, and that gift comes with a calling. We are invited into relationship—with God, with each other, and with everything in the created order. These relationships call for responsibility. It’s not a one-way street; we’re part of a reciprocal system where care, respect, and connection are essential.

Actions, Intentions, and Declarations: The psalm also highlights that there’s a way to live that aligns with God’s desires for us. It speaks of “clean hands” and “pure hearts”—a reminder that our actions, thoughts, and words matter. Authenticity in how we live builds true community, where falsehood has no place. God calls us to live in a way that reflects His truth, justice, and love.

Community and Company: The psalm speaks of those who seek God as a united company—people bound together in a particular span of time all sharing the same pursuit of right relationships. These are the characteristics of those who belong to the true community of creation and it is they who will receive God’s blessing.

They Seek Him—and Find Him in Jesus: As we enter Advent, this passage invites us to reflect on our longing for Jesus. He is the image of the Creator, the one whose actions, intentions, and words are completely true and just. He shows us what it means to live in right relationship, and through Him, we can experience the fullness of community and justice.

Emmanuel—God with us—is not just a promise for a distant past or a far-off future. He is with us now, in creation and in our lives, and our trust in Him is not misplaced.

Adam Gowen is a Wiradjuri man who has cultural connections to Yuin Country, culture, and community. He volunteers widely including as deputy chair of Common Grace and as a firefighter with the NSW RFS. Adam has a first class honours degree in Indigenous studies the thesis component of this degree focuses on issues of Indigenous identity, sovereignty, and settler colonialism. He also has a post graduate degree in theology from Indigenous perspectives. He is a published researcher and social justice advocate.

This devotional is part of a series of daily email devotionals for Advent 2024 reflecting on the life-giving, thirst quenching justice of Jesus we long to see flow across these lands. A justice overflowing with love and compassion, bringing forth hope, healing, nourishment and flourishing for all.

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