The Joy of Going to God’s House

Psalms 122:1-9
A Song of Ascents. Of David.

1 I was glad when they said to me,
"Let us go into the house of the LORD."

2 Our feet have been standing
Within your gates, O Jerusalem!

3 Jerusalem is built
As a city that is compact together,

4 Where the tribes go up,
The tribes of the LORD,
To the Testimony of Israel,
To give thanks to the name of the LORD.

5 For thrones are set there for judgment,
The thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
"May they prosper who love you.

7 Peace be within your walls,
Prosperity within your palaces."

8 For the sake of my brethren and companions,
I will now say, "Peace be within you."

9 Because of the house of the LORD our God
I will seek your good.

King David, the man after God’s own heart penned this song of ascent to sing as he journeyed to Jerusalem to worship.  He expressed his overwhelming joy when others invited him to go to meet God there in the service of worship (Romans 12:1).  This is the joy which God’s people continue to have in meeting together in the assembly of the saints, a corporate worship in serving together with psalms, hymns, and spiritually moving songs to extol His grace (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16).  We follow the pattern of the beloved psalmist here to stand in the gates of the churches in which we gather together, showing solidarity in Christ for the glory of the Father by the power and unification of the Spirit.  Just as the tribes of God’s original chosen people gathered in Jerusalem, we will gather with them from out of all nations together in the New Jerusalem, the Celestial City to come down from heaven with His presence before us.  How we yearn for that day!  We will testify of His testimonies together there at last, but in a limited fashion until then in our congregations here.  We give thanks in our words and worship, praying and teaching, and encouraging each other (Hebrews 10:24-25) until that day.  Since we will also face His judgment seat then, standing before the throne of grace, we strive to be well-pleasing in this life out of eternal gratitude (Hebrews 13:21).  In a similar way, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem as David did here, but in a larger sense of the City to come where all He calls inhabit His praises in worship.  We pray who sincerely love Him, that His people prosper in the inner person above all else, while still having what is necessary for life in addition to godliness.  We pray for peace with God to all He calls in Christ (Romans 5:1).  Peace that is within the hearts and minds of all believers in truth.  Because of this holy calling, we seek each other’s good as He has for us.  This is the joy we have together in going to God’s house, the church, as a precious people (1 Peter 2:4-6).  Amen!