Daily Reading
Daily Thought
Fifteen psalms, Psalm 120-134, are each called a “Song of Ascents,” sung by the Hebrews as they pilgrimed uphill to Jerusalem three times a year for the great feasts, the gatherings of God’s people. These psalms are short, mostly cheerful, always hopeful—except the first, Psalm 120. It is short, but begins with distress, ends with war, and is filled with deceit. This low, all-too-real beginning, turns our eyes upward to seek salvation:
“I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.” ~Psalm 121:1-2
Thus begins a steady climb upward:
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy.” ~Psalm 126:1-2
As the Hebrew people ascended to Jerusalem to celebrate and worship God, so the Sunday gathering each week of God’s church is our high point–the city of God rising above the city of man. Jesus has an elevated vision of his church, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). Sunday church is a celebration of God’s salvation, not a “have to go,” but a “get to go,” the people of God going up and gathering in one place to worship the Lord, who made heaven and earth–and why would we not sing on the way there?
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!” ~Psalm 122:1
Daily Prayer
To You, O God, I lift my heart in praise. Out of chaos, You created a life overflowing with peace and hope and love. You did it once in the beginning of the world, You did it again at the cross and the empty tomb. You give me life everlasting, an eternity which has already begun. I am a citizen of Your Kingdom today and forever. My heart is glad and I will sing Your praises so all may hear of so great a salvation.
May I never be shy about it!
Amen
Daily Question
Is the Sunday gathering of the church something you look forward to? Why or why not?