Today’s Lectio Divina: Excerpts from Psalm 132. (MsgB)
A Pilgrim Song.
O God, remember David, remember all his troubles!
And remember how he promised God,made a vow to the Strong God of Jacob,
“I’m not going home, and I’m not going to bed, I’m not going to sleep, not even take time to rest,
Until I find a home for God, a house for the Strong God of Jacob.”
Let’s be honest.
Most of the Bible tells us about our great and magnificent God, His amazing and redeeming Son, Jesus of Nazareth, and the all-empowering, ever in-dwelling Holy Spirit.
And rightfully so.
These three entities (Father, Son, Spirit) are the only Ones in heaven or on earth who really have perfection down pat.
Oh yeah, guys like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and Moses, Isaiah, and Jeremiah are highlighted in the Hebrew Scriptures. And then there is Peter, Paul, and John doing great stuff in the New Testament. But generally, our Holy Book does a pretty accurate job of reminding us all that even the best of God’s servants are still pretty human, and thus, fleshly beings full of flaws and foolishness.
But then there’s Psalm 132.
Read it carefully and you find that this Psalmist is doing one fine job of paying great homage to one unique man who truly does deserve a tip of the hat or two.
That man’s name is King David.
Oh yes, without a doubt, David had his problems. There were times in his life when he could lie with the best of them. Deceiving others and protecting self were two character flaws pretty evident in this man after God’s own heart.
But here’s the good news.
Underneath this human being, with all of his foibles and flaws, was a heart for God. A passion for the presence of the Almighty. A persuasion that God alone was this man’s strength and song.
So today, as we ponder this thirteenth Song of Ascent, I say let’s raise a glass to King David. And let me go even further with this toast. Let me say that wouldn’t it be nice if a few men and women of God today could have the same passion we find in King David? Imagine for a moment if the Church of Jesus Christ had a handful of leaders who’d labor night and day, like King David, to secure a place where God could dwell with His people?
You see, to King David, something wasn’t right in the world when there was no physical place where the High God of the Universe could dwell with His creation. King David, according to Psalm 132, actually refused to sleep or eat until he found a way to build an earthly meeting place where Yahweh could dwell…where the people of God could come and sit next to their Creator/King.
What pastor or leader today might be willing to carry such a passion once again? No eating. No sleeping. No TV or movies. No earthly pleasures…until a meeting place for God and His people was secured.
Hmm.
King David, here’s to you, my man.
What a legacy you left for those who follow you. May we be equally faithful as you were in our passion to build a place where the High King of the Universe can settle in with His children.
Build it and HE will come!
My prayer: God, thank You for the reminder that You are always looking for men and women like King David who will make it their life’s passion to secure a meeting place for God and His people. Holy Spirit, in-dwell and empower me to a similar passion, so that my life’s work, as Your servant, might become like David’s. For Your name’s sake. Amen.
My questions to ponder: As a pastor or church leader, how have I settled for much less when it comes to providing God and His people with a place where they can dwell with one another? Have I allowed a shallowness inside me to drain away the passion for finding that holy place where the High King of the Universe can meet regularly with His people? How might ‘church’ in America be transformed if a few pastors and leaders began to see our role as builders of God’s temple, just as David saw his?
So what is God speaking to you today as you ponder the Psalms?
Over a 50-week period, you and I will take a deeper look at The Psalms: God’s Songbook of Prayers. In order to keep all the blog sessions organized, we suggest you bookmark our Contemplating the Psalms home page for ease of use. Keep in mind that one of the best ways to explore the on-going applications of this blog series is to walk alongside a biblically-based, Christ-centered spiritual director who is familiar with how to make material like this part of your overall spiritual formation in God. Many of our directors in our Contemplative Activist network are available to companion you in your journey with Jesus. Click here for more info.
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