Gathering for Gladness
/March 25
Psalm 122
“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD!’”
Illustration by Gustave Doré
Tomorrow is Sunday, a day each week where we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The church has set aside Sunday for worship and rest for nearly 2,000 years. As we approach Sunday, can we declare with the psalmist, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD!’” Psalm 122 is a unique psalm in that it is a Psalm of Ascent. These psalms were sung mostly during pilgrimage festivals when the people of Israel would go to Jerusalem to worship the Lord. They are called Psalms of Ascent because regardless of where you are coming from, you have to ascend to Jerusalem as the city sits on a hill. The Temple in Jerusalem was the most important building in Israel. It was important because in the Temple the presence of God resided. Thus to go to the house of Lord was a big deal. There the people of Israel would be closest to God.
Today, you and I no longer go to a temple to worship God. As Jesus said, we worship God in Spirit and truth (John 4:24). After Jesus died, resurrected, and ascended to heaven, the Spirit of God indwelled his people’s hearts. Now, we are the Temple of God. While we do not have to go to a physical location to worship God, there is great value in gathering with the church to worship the Lord together in Spirit and truth. When we come together weekly, we are equipped, challenged, and encouraged. Tomorrow is Sunday! Don’t miss an opportunity to gather with other believers and worship Jesus. May we all say, “I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the LORD!’”
Reflection
- How do you view Sunday worship gatherings? Are they an encouragement to you or a burden?
- What can you do today to prepare you for Sunday worship tomorrow?
- Pray to God now asking him to do some incredible work tomorrow.