June 25, 2011

Psalm 122 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Luke 6:12-19, Philippians 3:17-21, 2 Kings 17

Journal Entry

Scripture

"I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord!'" (Psalm 122:1)

Observation

This psalm begins and ends with the house of the Lord (v. 1 & v. 9). Here David expresses his delight in going to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem to worship. He welcomes the invitation not simply to worship, but to worship with other people. It was a corporate worship that David was excited about. "Let us go to the house of the Lord." As much as there is a place for individual worship as a way of life, there is a different dynamic that comes with a corporate worship. These worshippers not only loved Jerusalem, but also took pride in the great city (vv. 3-5). In their gathering, they prayed for the city and people in the city. They specifically prayed for peace and security in the lives of God's people in Jerusalem (vv. 6-8).

Application

This is a good psalm to meditate on as we get ready for Sunday tomorrow. I wonder how many people get really excited to go to the house of the Lord to worship ... worship together with other believers. I wonder if going to the Lord's house on Sunday has become more of a routine or even a hassle with no real excitement to worship together. We get up early ... get the kids ready ... drive a long distance ... struggle to find a parking spot ... and walk over to the sanctuary. As we find our way to the sanctuary, how excited is our heart to worship the Lord? How eager is our heart to pray for the city and people in the city? Or, are we mainly there to get something for ourselves instead of giving ourselves to the Lord?

Prayer

Lord, I want my heart to be delighted as I think about the opportunity to worship together with my brothers and sisters at Your house tomorrow. Before I think about all the meetings I need to attend and ministry duties I need to fulfill, I want to be a worshiper. I want You to be the focus of my day. I want You to be what I get excited about. Lord, I pray that you would prepare our hearts today that we would give you an undivided heart of worship tomorrow, for You deserve our very best. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

--Stephen Han