#DailyDevotion Let Us Gather In The Name Of Jesus For Worship
Psalm 132 O Lord, remember for good all of David’s troubles, 2how he swore to the LORD, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob: 3“I will certainly not go home, or go to lie on the bed made for me, 4or let my eyes sleep or slumber, 5until I find a place for the LORD, a home for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
This psalm of ascent is certainly good for ascending Mt. Zion to worship at the Temple of the LORD. It recalls the Ark of the covenant being brought to Zion from Ephrathah. David when he became king made a vow to bring the Ark to Jerusalem and build a temple for the LORD his God, the Mighty One of Jacob. This name was spoken by Jacob when he blessed his son Joseph. David had gone through many trials from the hands of both the Philistines and from Saul. The psalmist asks the LORD to remember those troubles as they ascend Mt. Zion to go to the Temple. I guess this remembrance would garner the LORD’s favor towards those making the arduous journey to come and worship Him at this Temple. David we know was not able to build the Temple. The LORD forbade him but promised his son would build it. David however did do all the preparation work to have the plans, the models and the materials all ready to go once his son ascended the throne. Jesus also went through many trials and troubles as the New David, the sprout of the stump of Jesse. However, He also is the promised son who would build the Temple of God not made with hands but of our bodies, the living stones. (1 Peter) He is the fulfillment of Solomon, the King of Peace.
6We heard about the sacred ark in Ephrathah; we found it in the woods. 7Let us go to His dwelling and worship at His footstool. 8Come, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and Your mighty ark. 9Your priests dress in righteousness, and Your devoted ones shout happily.
The Philistines had captured the Ark and placed it in their temple. The LORD struck down their idol in the temple and then them. They sent it back to the Israelites who then set it up at Kiriath-jearim. (1 Sam. 5, 6 and & 7) David tried to bring the Ark once to Jerusalem but the LORD had struck the hand of Uzzah who tried to steady it. Only the Levites could carry the Ark. David then after several months gathered the Levites to bring the Ark from that place into Jerusalem, according to the rules the LORD had given in the Torah (first five books of the bible).
The Ark now in Jerusalem, the Temple built, the priests are all dressed in righteousness ready to lead the people in worship, the pilgrims are now ready to go to His dwelling and worship at His footstool. While indeed, the LORD had promised to meet with His people there, the worshipers know the Temple cannot contain the LORD their God. He is not like the pagan gods whose idols are fixed in their temples. So they pray the LORD to come to His resting place, the Ark, to do for them what He has promised and for them to worship and praise the LORD for all His benefits.
We also know the LORD our God cannot be contained by buildings. As the LORD Jesus said, we will worship the Father in Spirit and Truth. Jesus promised where two or three are gathered in His name, He would be in the midst of them. So we gather in His name and He comes and serves us with His word and sacraments. We offer to Him our thanks and praise for all His benefits to us, especially the gift of forgiveness and eternal life. He is our Priest dressed in righteousness who has offered up Himself as the atoning sacrifice. We are His priests who offer up spiritual sacrifices as thanksgiving, praise and good works towards our neighbors.
Heavenly Father, grant us faith in Your Son Jesus Christ, so when we gather in His name, we may truly worship You in Spirit and in Truth to the glory of Your holy name. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.