stephen R Harrison

Of the fifteen songs of ascent (Psalm 120-134), David wrote three (Psalm 122, 124, and 131). In Psalm 122, David “rejoiced” (v. 1) when it was time to go to the house of the Lord. David looked forward to the pilgrimages Israel made to Jerusalem each year to worship the Lord. In those days, God dwelt in buildings and tents. The people of God traveled long distances to meet with God and worship Him, especially in Jerusalem during the three major festivals of Passover (spring), Pentecost (summer) and Tabernacles (fall). Today, believers do not have to travel long distances and go to certain buildings to meet with God as “the God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands” (Acts 17:24). God dwells in us through the person of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:19-22). Although we worship the God Who lives in us, we should be like David and rejoice when it is time to go to the house of the Lord and worship with others as the church.

David lived in Jerusalem and would worship in a tent that contained the ark of the covenant (2 Samuel 6). He loved to go and worship there (2 Samuel 7:1-3). While David did not have to travel far to worship, others did. Whether the distance was great or small, worshipping the Lord was a joy for the people of Israel. When your heart is set on worshipping the Lord, it is not burdensome to get to God’s house. Worship begins in the heart. If the heart is pure and right in motive, the thoughts, actions, and words will be as well. David had a heart after God (1 Samuel 13:14) and so should we. A heart after God doesn’t complain about worship, the distance it takes to get to church, the obstacles one has to overcome to assemble, or grumble about taking part in the things of God. That kind of heart gladly welcomes the worship opportunities to grow closer to the Lord.

David prayed for Jerusalem. After he captured Jerusalem, he made it the capitol and a place of centralized worship for the Lord (1 Chronicles 28; 2 Samuel 5). During his reign, Israel developed into a united city and the tribes went up together to worship (v. 4). The “statutes given to Israel” to praise the name of the Lord together were given by the Lord to David on Mount Moriah (1 Chronicles 21-22, 28). Today, the church has been mandated as well to worship together (Hebrews 10:25) and should so in unity (Ephesians 4). When the local church today assembles from every home near and far, it should rejoice, pray, and praise the Lord in unity and peace. David prayed for the peace and prosperity of Jerusalem (vv. 6-9), and so should we. True peace will only happen in Jerusalem when Jesus the Prince of Peace reigns on the throne of David (Isaiah 9:6-7). We pray, “Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). We must pray for Israel but also witness with the gospel of the Kingdom to all nations and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14). Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20)!

Questions:

1. Do you rejoice when it is time to go worship with other believers at church?
2. Do you pray for the Prince of Peace to return?
3. Do you share the good news of the gospel of the Kingdom to others?

Prayer:
Lord, come quickly! You are the Prince of Peace Who will one day come and set everything right. Until then, I will gladly worship You in Spirit and truth with other believers in sweet fellowship as the church. Thank You for dwelling in me through the person of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.