a desired dwelling place

For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place: "This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it."

Psalm 132:13-14

The Lord chose to be with Israel in a visible way through the temple worship in Jerusalem. In that sense He chose Zion as a resting place. Until that time, the worship of GOd had been mobile, conducted in a portable sanctuary in the tent of meeting known as the tabernacle.

But David had a vision for a permanent temple for worshipping Yahweh on Zion in Jerusalem. He drew up the plans. Solomon built the magnificent structure. It was a wonder of the ancient world. And God blessed the commitment with a promise to forever rest there.

Of course, this doesn't in any way diminish God's universal presence. There is today no temple on Zion. But God's promise is to "be there" still, even as He is everywhere. And He still deserves all the best that we can give Him in our worship. We must give Him His holy desire.

humility, contentment, & hope

O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. 

Psalm 131:1

This is a song about contentment. In verse two David says he is content in God's presence like a small child is content in the presence of his mother (Ps 131:2). He has weaned himself away from incessantly demanding answers and things from God and instead just rests in the presence of God.

This all began with an attitude of humility willing to let God handle the unknown. David did not demand from God what he did not know. He chose to let those deeper mysteries remain with God and in God's timing. David realized his limitations and leaned on God.

This contentment was David's hope. From it he calls all of Israel to always hope in God (Psalm 131:3). David had learned humility, simple joy in trusting God rather than demanding from God, and he called others to know the confident hope of a contented son.

reasons for hope

O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. 

Psalm 130:7

Those who know God are never without hope. God's love is shown to us daily through our redemption. There is always before us the living hope in Christ that keeps us trusting Him despite the uncertainties that surround us. There is always hope, because there is always God. What a blessing to never take for granted.

This encourages me in a season where I am tempted to lose perspective on that hope. Life changes are hard both personally and among people that I love. I am pressed in by change everywhere I look right now... and it is not all change that I would say I wanted. Yet I know that the steadfast love of The Lord has not changed. My life changes. People change. Institutions change. Things break and decay and fall down. God is still steadfast in His love and His plentious mercies in redemption are unchanging!

"Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;

Earth's joys grow dim, it's glories pass away;

Change and decay in all around I see --

O Thou Who changest not, abide with me."

affliction's song

The LORD is righteous; he has cut the cords of the wicked. 

Psalm 129:4

This song is the cry of a soul afflicted by the evil actions of others. It is a sad but true fact of life that this sort of thing is a daily reality. People sin against us. They can be cruel, heartless and completely evil to us. But we have a resource and refuge. We can cry out to God.

When people are bad to us, God is still good. He can deliver us. He can free us. He can cut the cords even when we are being bound by the hatred of another person's actions.

The African-American church was born out of the evils of American slavery. It arose in affliction. Yet even today, worship in an African-American church is lively and free! The cords were cut by God's goodness and still show that freedom a century and a half later. God sets the captives free; God rewards the righteous because He is righteous.

4 blessings

The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! May you see your children's children! Peace be upon Israel! 

Psalm 128:5-6

There are four distinct blessings for the worshiper of The Lord. The first is that God would bless through worship. The "souvenir" of a trip to Jerusalem to worship at the temple was the real blessing of God upon the worshiper.

The second blessing was for Jerusalem itself to prosper, thus ensuring a lifetime of secure worship there. It is the blessing of continuous worship.

The third blessing was for a long life and a full family. It is the request to see healthy grandchildren and to know full circle the blessings of God in another generation.

The fourth and final blessing in Psalm 128 is for the peace of the nation. This is not so much a national security prayer as it is a hope for the true peace of God to pervade hearts and lives that obey The Lord and love His law.

the family & worship

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 

Psalm 127:1

Two things stand out about this psalm. First, as a song of ascents it was meant to be memorized and sung by Israelite families as they pilgrimaged to Jerusalem for feast days. This explains the family perspective of this psalm, particularly its celebration of children and family in verses three through five. I envision parents singing this song with children in tow. Probably entire inter-generational extended families travelled together, singing of the blessings of family, children, and God's goodness to them.

Secondly, it was penned by Solomon. As such, it would have been a "new song" in its day. It must have been composed early in the history of the Temple then, showing us the "family-centeredness" of Israel's early Temple worship traditions. To worship God then is a family activity meant to bring all generations together before The Lord.

top ten: praise for great things

The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad. 

Psalm 126:3

God's work, His care and His provision for us, is a source of unending joy. God is good and His love for us is always on display in the reality of the gospel. Jesus has provided eternal life AND abundant life. There is joy in knowing what God has done has forever changed us. And we are glad to be the recipients of God's good grace!

My "short list" of the great thing God has done for me:

1) He led my parents to Christ when I was 7 years of age.

2) He led me to understand and believe the gospel at that same time.

3) He surrounded me with solid gospel preaching and loving Christian influence.

4) He taught me through key relationships with other Christians.

5) He gave me a great Christian wife.

6) He blessed me with loving children.

7) He led me to serve in awesome ministry!

8) He gave me the chance to work among Christian leaders with integrity who challenge me to lead correctly and for the glory of God.

9) I am blessed to be able to provide for my family during difficult economic uncertainties.

10) I could add to this list substantially because God's goodness is profoundly abundant!