Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Psalm 122:1-4 I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD." Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together. That is where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, to praise the name of the LORD according to the statute given to Israel.
I LOVE TO WORSHIP YOU, LORD
This psalm pictures the joy of the believing Israelite who has been invited by friends to accompany them on a trip to the Jerusalem temple to participate in public worship. He considers it a blessing to be able to do this. He knows it is at the temple that his merciful God promises to come and bless him in a special way. Here he and his fellow believers are privileged to join in hearing their Lord’s life-giving Word. Here they can join their hearts together in worshiping Him who promised in fullness of time to send them a Savior from sin. A joyous thought indeed for every true Israelite!
We who are members of the spiritual "Israel of God" through faith in Christ share the sentiments of the psalmist. We consider it an exceptional blessing to gather regularly as a Christian congregation at the Lord's house to worship our heavenly Father and sing His praise with united voice for all He has done and continues to do for us each day. We trust His promise: "In every place where I record my name I will come to you, and I will bless you" (Exodus 20:24). We sing with believing, thankful hearts:
To Your temple I draw near; Lord, I love to worship here.
Here are Sacrament and Word; Here believers meet their Lord.
I through Christ am reconciled; I through Christ become Your child.
Abba, Father, give me grace In Your courts to seek Your face.
While Your glorious praise is sung, Touch my lips, unloose my tongue,
That my joyful soul may bless Christ the Lord, my Righteousness.
(Christian Worship, 226:1-3)
