Read: Psalm 24
The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! (v. 10)
On the many occasions that I have prayed with the Words of Hope Uganda ministry leader, Titus Baraka, he almost always begins with, “Lord God, King of Glory . . .” When I asked why, he pointed out that Uganda has over 50 tribes. Many still have a ceremonial king they honor and animistic spirits they worship. By beginning with “Lord God, King of Glory,” he declares the God he worships is the one true God.
The title “King of Glory” is given by David in Psalm 24, likely to commemorate the coming of the ark into Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6). David emphatically declares the earth is “the LORD’s” (Ps. 24:1). All creation and all people belong only to this Lord. God himself makes this claim in Isaiah 45:5, “I am the LORD, and there is no other.” Whatever kings exist must bow to this God. Whatever spirits seek to control must submit to this Lord.
Psalm 24 also foreshadows the ascension of Jesus in Acts 1:9. The only one who can ascend (Ps. 24:3) is the one with clean hands and a pure heart (v. 4). We know him: Jesus! He is made clean because of the cross, his perfect sacrifice for sin. He is the King of Glory because he is “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). The power of this King of Glory can likewise clean us and overcome whatever evil befalls us.
As you pray, call out to the King of Glory.
About the Author
Rev. Jon Opgenorth serves as president of Words of Hope. Previously, he served for 18 years as senior pastor at Trinity Reformed Church in Orange City, Iowa. In preparation for ministry, he received a BA in Religion from Northwestern College, and an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary.
