Saturday, May 16, 2015
SERVANTS OF THE LORD BLESS JESUS!
As we celebrated Jesus' ascension to heaven this past week and what it means for us once again, it is appropriate to note that there are quite a few Psalms that remind us of the importance of our own "ascension." So what does I mean by that?
Psalm 134:1-3 (A Song of Ascents.) Behold, bless the LORD, All you servants of the LORD, Who by night stand in the house of the LORD! Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, And bless the LORD. The LORD who made heaven and earth Bless you from Zion!
"A Song of Ascents" is so labeled because the Old Testament Children of Israel sang it in ascending to the LORD's temple or "sanctuary" for worship. All believers whether living inside or outside of Jerusalem would ascend (go up) to Mt. Zion to "stand in the house" and "bless the LORD."
As servants of our Triune LORD, we "ascend" each week to the Lord's house to hear what our LORD God has done for us! These "Songs of Ascents" were often songs sung on the way up to God's temple.
In other words, they were hymns sung on the way to church. There's an idea! And why not? Colossians 3:16 says, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
It is this rich word of Christ our Savior that admonishes and corrects our often loveless or thankless attitude for our blessings (physical or spiritual). It is this rich word of Christ "who made heaven and earth" (cf. John 1:1-14) that gives us reason to "sing with grace in our hearts" to Him who gave His life for our victory and for our eternal joy!
When we think of Jesus' Ascension, let us celebrate it year round in singing "Songs of Ascents,” while we are "ascending" to God's house at church. May the Spirit teach and bless us to remember: "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:17).
