Daily Reading: 4-5-16
Psalm 122 New Living Translation (NLT)
A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.
1
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
2
And now here we are,
standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem.
3
Jerusalem is a well-built city;
its seamless walls cannot be breached.
4
All the tribes of Israel—the Lord’s people—
make their pilgrimage here.
They come to give thanks to the name of the Lord,
as the law requires of Israel.
5
Here stand the thrones where judgment is given,
the thrones of the dynasty of David.
6
Pray for peace in Jerusalem.
May all who love this city prosper.
7
O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls
and prosperity in your palaces.
8
For the sake of my family and friends, I will say,
“May you have peace.”
9
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.
What is your attitude when it comes to corporate worship? Is it a highlight for your week to gather with God’s family and praise our loving Creator? Our attitude about worship is really reflective of our own hearts, as well as our experience with Christ the Anointed One. Our holy God inhabits or is enthroned upon the praises of His people; that is Truth according to Psalm 22:3. Think about it, when we are filled with gratitude and release praise to our God that is authentic and passionate, we provide Him a place to dwell or rest in our hearts and presence as His gathered people. If gathering to worship is a drudgery or a task to perform and check off our weekly “to do list,” our attitude needs an adjustment and our love for God needs to be rekindled by the Spirit. If gathering is just about socially connecting with friends and neighbors we love and enjoy being with, we have made worship more about the people than God. However, if gathering to worship excites our souls (mind/will/emotion) and we anticipate experiencing a greater portion of God’s presence as we cry out and offer our collective gratitude and praise, then we have opened our hearts and lives up for His glory. Wow! God will never disappoint us when we offer authentic praise; He will always be near. Exalting Christ in and through our lives equals spiritual victory. Our goal to exalt Christ should be a daily journey, as well as a weekly corporate worship gathering.
As Christ is enthroned in our hearts and upon our praise, He turns our attention to love and care for others; God is pure love and entirely other-focused. Mission flows from authentic worship. We know we have experienced the abundant love and presence of God in our gathering when we are filled with the desire to be instruments of peace in the hand of God for others.
Prayer: Father, please inhabit my gratitude and praise every day, as well as when I gather to worship and enthrone You with my spiritual family. Holy Spirit, keep my focus on Jesus. Be glorified in my life, Lord! In Jesus’ name. Amen.