Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy.
Psalm 99:5 NIV
At His Footstool
The Alpine Club of Canada maintains a number of backcountry huts. They provide shelter for climbers, mountaineers, hikers, backcountry skiers, cross-country skiers, or those simply looking to retreat to the mountains from the rigors of everyday life for a few days. The most remote is the Great Cairn Ben Ferris Hut in the Selkirk Mountains of BC. The hut is the perfect place to stay if you are planning on taking on challenges like Silvertip Mountain, Citadel Peak, Cornice Peak, Belvedere Peak, Turret Peak, Mount Austerity and the Footstool.
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Ancient kings, in order to ensure that they were suitably recognized, sat on high thrones. They were so elevated, that they needed a step to help them get up onto that throne. Once they got settled onto their throne, they used the step as their footstool. These footstools were often very elaborate – Egyptian King Tutankhamun’s footstool was painted and gilded gold over wood. We don’t know what King David’s footstool looked like, but he certainly understood the place of the footstool at the base of a high throne. So, he writes this in Psalm 99:5: “Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy.” What a privilege it is to be invited into the presence of Almighty God. He is seated on His throne. We bow before Him in humility and worship. This is the privilege of the redeemed, those who have been made righteous by the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. God is holy. We are not. But when we repent of our sin, God cleanses us from all unrighteousness and Jesus takes up residence in us. We are then invited to enter into His presence. No wonder we worship.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley