BLOG June 26, 2014
Psalms 128-134
Today we read the rest of the 15 “Songs of Ascents” as we pilgrims get closer and closer to the courtyards of the Temple! Remember to imagine yourself a traveler, and make your way to the welcoming presence of God!
9. FEAR THE LORD FOR BLESSING. Psalm 128 continues the family oriented theme from Psalm 127. But here we begin with the promise: Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord! Don’t think “fear” in the boogeyman sense. When the Bible calls us to “fear” the Lord, think “awestruck reverence;” think of being “afraid” to miss out on any of his wonders. Put the Lord a “fearful” first in your life, then you, your work, and your family will be blessed!
10. TAKE ONE LAST LOOK BACK. In Psalm 129 the psalm-writer looks back upon those who afflicted them in the land of separation. “Let them be put to shame and turned backwards!” (v. 5) Even here, amidst the pilgrim songs, it’s all right to vent!
11. WAIT FOR THE LORD. Psalm 130 was the psalm sung the morning John Wesley went wandering through London as lost as lost can be. “Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord” the choir sang that morning. And that’s where John was: in the depths. But this was also the day of his conversion to Christ, the day “his heart was strangely warmed.” In this psalm, the key to unlock the door of depression can be summarized in one word: Wait! Read vv. 5-6, and just wait...
12. QUIET YOUR SOUL. Psalm 131 teaches us that waiting is difficult. The picture the author gives us in this short psalm is of a weaned child. An “unweaned” child just can’t be still, if he or she is thirsty. But a weaned child is satisfied and can rest with its mother in peace. This is how we quiet ourselves before the Lord; satisfied with God’s provision and love, we quiet our souls.
13. REMEMBER YOUR DEBT TO THE PAST. Before we enter the temple, Psalm 132 calls us to think back over the history of God’s house, what it cost David and Solomon to build it, and what a blessing is ours because of them. We can do the same thing. When was the last time you thanked an elder for blazing the path of faith for you?
14. DWELL IN UNITY. Psalm 133 calls us to unity without actually issuing a call. David simply describes the beauty and sweetness of unity. Not many of us can relate to the spiritual ecstasy God gave to the priests in their consecration services, but he clarifies this in the last line: Where there is unity, here the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.” (v. 3b)
15. BLESS THE LORD. This, Psalm 134 reminds us, is what we came to do! Here we are, God’s people, standing together in the temple courts, praising the Lord and rehearsing His mighty acts of deliverance on our behalf. The final three verses of this psalm (vv. 19-21) cry out to be shouted in the presence of the Lord. The pilgrimage is over; the worship begins!
Tomorrow, we continue BOOK FIVE of the psalms!
Your fellow traveler through the Word,
Pastor Gary
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