HE IS MY LORD –

Keeping up their theme in Songs of Ascent for pilgrims, the compilers of the Psalter chose this one to reflect the joy of arriving at the Holy Sanctuary after a long and grueling journey; a place where they could renew their strength. By this time their feet were tired; they were thirsty and hungry; their bodies ached for refreshment. But most of all they felt excitement building in their hearts about seeing the place where God dwelled, so that they could worship Him with sincerity and joy. If it was their first time, they were about to find out whether or not all they had been told about the thrill of standing in the presence of One True God was true. They couldn’t wait; nor did they want this privilege to ever be taken away from them. And if they had been to the Holy City before, they wanted to know if God was still real and ready to receive their praise and worship. And if so, they prayed that such joy would never end.

“I rejoiced when my friends finally told me, ‘We can go up now to the house of the LORD Eternal!’ So here we are, our feet stand inside your gates, O Jerusalem; yes, in Jerusalem, a city built to unite our hearts. It’s here that families come to worship; the families that belong to the Lord; to worship the LORD Eternal for the great God is – as they have been instructed to do. We can see where the thrones of David’s descendants once stood, from which they judged the people. O how I pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love you live in tranquility. Yes, may peace be found inside your walls, and serenity within your houses. And I pray your city will be a place of peace where people live in harmony. For the benefit of our family and friends, I pray for peace. For the benefit of the house of the LORD Eternal, our One True God, I only want what’s best for your good.” Psalm 122:1-9

Reflection: As a boy I remember watching adults in our church close their eyes and sing hymns with such inner joy and peace, that I was sure they believed every single word they sang. I can still picture my precious grandmother, with teary eyes and raised hands, singing one of Isaac Watts’ most beloved hymns: “We’re marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful, Zion; we’re marching upward to Zion, the beautiful city of God.” I image that in her mind she was thinking of the New Jerusalem, not the old one which she had never seen, and would be unable to ever visit during her lifetime. But as her grandson, I had the great privilege of walking the streets of Jerusalem, looking at those ancient walls with awe and wonder. One time, as I stood looking back at the Eastern Gate from the Mount of Olives, I recalled her singing that wonderful old song. Then the thought crossed my mind that one day, when Messiah comes in a cloud of glory; opens that Eastern Gate and enters Jerusalem to rule and reign for a thousand years, she and I will sing that song together as we arrive with Him at the city, to honor Him as KING of Kings and LORD of Lords. Like the psalmist, I pray for the peace of Jerusalem today, that God’s blessings will be poured out on her for His glory.