Let the worship Begin

 Read Psalm 134.

This is the last of the songs of ascents.  One can almost sense the worshiper getting closer; perhaps, it was in sight.  When they could see the Levites standing at their assigned posts, ready to serve the people, the travelers broke out in praise.

Traditional worship services begin with a "Call to Worship."  This brief psalm serves a similar purpose.

1. It is a call to praise the LORD.
Upward.  He is the object of our worship.  So many become enamored (or distracted) by the building, the style of music, or the people around them and are not engaged in true worship.  Worship is the bowing down in submission and thanksgiving to the Person of God Himself; nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else.

2. It is a call to praise the LORD together.
Inward.  Making public worship a priority is not an option for a believer.  We need to come together for teaching of God's Word, singing together, encouraging each other, and prayer.  To be a believer in Jesus is to be an active participant in a local church.  The New Testament does not know of any other kind of follower of Christ.
"...not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:25)

3. It is a call to the LORD to bless their nation.
Outward.  The concern of our worship is making God famous.  We not only want the LORD's blessings upon our nation, but we want our nation to bless God!  One who knows the LORD wants others to come to know Him too.  Inspired and equipped, believers leave the occasion of public worship to serve God in the everyday places He has placed them.

 

A case for Unity

 Read Psalm 133.

Walking together to the celebration, they sang this song of unity.   

1. The fragrance of unity.
The psalm begins with reference to an earthly view of oneness.  It is a family of faith; brothers and sisters who are equally committed to the LORD.  David compared such unity to the anointing of the high priest. The ceremony included pouring very fragrant oil over his head until it ran down his face.  The smell would have filled the entire immediate area and he would have carried that smell everywhere he went.

Christians give off an odor as well.  Nothing smells worse than a body of believers that cannot get along with each other.  It is most often the result of spiritual immaturity and/or sin.  The basis of our unity is our mutual faith in Jesus.  It is the unending work of church leaders to help believers to grow in maturity and obedience to Christ.  The family of God is to be serving together working in ministry, not gossiping or tearing down each other.  "...to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:12-13)

The unbelieving world desperately needs to smell the fragrance of Christ on us.

2. The fruit of unity.
The psalm concludes with reference to a heavenly view of oneness.    The illustration is of dew falling on Mount Hermon.  In this dry and arid place, any moisture is precious.  With little rain, what dew falls sustains the plant life that is there.  Joining together with like-minded folks who are committed to unity is refreshing.  The world can sap energy and bring dryness to the soul.  Worshiping and serving the LORD together is invigorating to the spirit, encourages our growth, and sustains us.  But there is more.  The blessing of the LORD is eternal life.

We need to practice unity with other believers here because we are going to spend eternity together.

 

 

Anticipating Worship

 Read Psalm 132.

As the pilgrims continued up Zion's hill to worship God, they would sing this prayer.  It served as a reminder of the past and encouraged them with some certain promises of the future.  In this song are the elements of true worship.

1. The place of public worship. (vv.1-5)
King David made it his priority to have a place where God would be worshiped.  First, he relocated the Ark of the Covenant and then raised the funds to build the Temple.  Everyone came to Jerusalem to worship the LORD and offer sacrifices.   

2. The keys to public worship. (vv.6-12)
Verse 7 provides a visual of the definition of the word "worship."  It has to do with bowing down in an act of surrender to God for who He is.  The elements of worship are all here: God's presence, leaders serving, people audibly rejoicing. 

3. The promise of future worship. (vv.14-18) 
God chose Jerusalem for His special attention and presence for all time.  The horn and anointed are references to the coming Messiah.  One day Jesus will rule and reign on earth and the world will once again look to that city as the center of public worship.

 

Satisfaction Found

 Read Psalm 131.

From the slaying of Goliath to his national leadership, King David is well-known for his great victories.  Such a track record can wrongly feed a man's ego.  Many feel they must pursue big goals to achieve a sense of self-worth.  Driven by selfish ambition, life becomes a competitive game to win over others.  But not so with David.

The "man after God's own heart" set as his goal to conduct himself in a humble manner.  First, as a young man, he learned to be a good shepherd and serve the needs of his sheep.  He transferred those same skills to leading Israel's army and ultimately the nation.  In this brief song, he addressed some of his innermost feelings.

1. The Absence of Pride. (v.1)
David performed a spiritual EKG.  His heart showed an absence of ego-mania.  He was not driven by selfish ambition.  Next came the eye examination.  His vision and what he longed to accomplish was not the impossible dream.  He knew his limitations.  He recognized his giftedness and the opportunities God had given to him.  A servant's heart and a commitment to faithfulness will guard us against sinful pride.

2. The Presence of Peace. (v.2)
An infant is the picture of total dependence and selfishness.  The baby does not care what time it is or the feelings of anyone around them.  When they have a need they let it be known immediately and loudly.  There is no patience in them.  They want what they want and they want it now.  But as one matures, there is a growing ability to care for one's basic needs.  A transition takes place from looking to mother for nursing to seeking her for comfort.  David said that he had disciplined himself to calm down and quiet his soul.  How the LORD loves for us to run to Him for such quiet comfort and inner peace. 
"You will keep him in perfect peace who mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." (Isaiah 26:3)

3. The Essence of the Promise. (v.3)
To give up one's pride and selfishness means a surrender to something or someone else.  To discover peace in a time of upheaval and great need means there must be something or someone who is trustworthy and transcends all the world around us.  David openly declared that his hope was in the LORD.  He called upon his nation to place their hope in the LORD and experience the satisfaction found only in Him.

 

 

A cry for Mercy

 Read Psalm 130. 

This is a deep cry for mercy.  We are not told the source of the anguish.  It does seem to be that the nation was under some punishment for their sins.  While he prayed for relief, the psalmist processed thoughts with which we all can identify. 

1. Their condition. (v.3)

As he prayed, immediately the feelings of guilt and unworthiness surfaced.  God keeps records of every sinful thought, word and deed.  Revelation 20:12 shows The Judge in heaven opening the records and holding each person accountable for every unforgiven violation.  Who can possibly stand under such judgment?  The answer is no one.  We are helpless to help ourselves. 

2. God's character. (vv.4, 7-8)

The good news unfolds for us in that little phrase "But with you..."  The help we so desperately need comes from the intervention of God and His grace.  Gratefully, He offers what we cannot provide.

*Forgiveness.  The only basis for the forgiveness of any sin is the once and for all, sinless sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  The blood sacrifices under the Old Testament only covered the sin until the time the Messiah would take away it away (John 1:29).  When a person confesses their sin to Jesus, He forgives, removes, and cleans the account against us. 

*Hope.  People lose hope when they see no way out of their crisis.  Once forgiven, our relationship with the LORD is restored and we have all the power of God at work on our behalf.  Our focus of the future then is not on our circumstances but on the plan and purposes God has for our lives. 

3. Their consequence. (vv. 5-6)

Sin may be forgiven, but the consequences remain.  With every sin there is a loss of some kind--in a relationship, an opportunity, a reward, or a punishment.  Though forgiveness is available, not everyone comes to God for His mercy.  This is a part of the psalmist's call to the nation.  Even with forgiveness, the resolve of the consequence we may suffer takes time.  Waiting for the LORD's timing to resolve our circumstances is a test of our trust in Him. 

Encouraging those who Suffer

 Read Psalm 129.

Looking back, the nation of Israel has a long history of being persecuted by its neighbors on all sides.  Oppression, threats, and war have marked nearly every generation of the Jews. 

The Egyptians put them into slavery for 400 years.  The Philistines, among others, consistently attacked at every opportunity.  Later, it was the Assyrians who took the northern kingdom captive.  Then, the Babylonians took the southern kingdom.  Then, it was the Greeks.  In Jesus' day they were under Roman authority.  In modern times, nation after nation has risen with the announced goal to annihilate the Jews.  Yet, the Jews are still here.  Though spiritually not where God wants them to be, nonetheless, the nation of Israel stands today on the same historic spot given to Abraham. 

Here is more encouragement for the traveler during this time in history.  The psalmist has taken the persecution of his nation and personalized it.  Notice his use of the words "me" and "my."  The metaphors are graphic.  But the theme is that though the Jews have suffered, their enemies "have not prevailed."

1. Prevailing over persecution. (vv.1-4)
It is one thing for enemies to run roughshod over a nation, but here the pain was personal.  Even the memory was torturous, as if they plowed across one's back.  The affliction had been great, but God is greater.  He cut the cords of the enemy that bound them.  He broke their enslaving chains and restored freedom to His people.

2. Prevailing over the persecutors. (vv.5-8)
The enemy, in their hatred, sought to shame Israel and to demonstrate that the LORD God they worshiped could not protect them.  But all the hordes of hell are no match for our God.  He can and did turn the enemies to shame.  Like grass trying to sprout up in shallow soil, the enemies of God will not be established for the long-term, their strength will not endure, and there will be nothing profitable from their evil.  They do not even deserve the customary greeting of "God bless you."

These are good reminders to all that though we may suffer for a time, our God sees and cares.  His power is not diminished by the things that threaten us.  From God's perspective, the battle has already been won and the victory will come in His time.  "...the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment." (2 Peter 2:9)

 

 

Principles or Promises?

 Read Psalm 128. 

Singing songs that encourage one another in our faith is a Biblical part of worship.  This psalm would have spurred on the travelers toward Jerusalem for the feast days. 

These expressions remind us again of the difference between principles and promises.  A principle may be defined as a general rule to follow.  A promise is a vow to be fulfilled.  Confusing those two have caused many to fall into false doctrines while quoting the Bible.  If all these statements were promises of God then every believer would be wealthy and healthy.  Every believing woman would bear many children.  But such things were not true even of Jesus, the Apostles, or countless godly men and women throughout time. 

Instead, these are principles to live by.  They are ideals for which we work for, pray for, and long to see.  But the results truly belong to God.  Not all the results of godly living are material, nor are all the results seen in this life.  Indeed, the best results and rewards are those that are eternal and await us in heaven. 

1. The Principles of Blessings.  (vv.1-4)

Note the qualification: This is for "those who fear the LORD and walk in his ways," our prayer is that--

-our work would be profitable

-our family would be fruitful 

2. The Prayer for Blessings. (vv.5-6)

In the context of their travel to the feast days, Jerusalem was the center for the worship of God.  So, this was not only a prayer for governmental or civic blessing but spiritual as well.

-prosperity for the city

-peace for the nation