One place that is mentioned in the Bible, probably more than any other place, is the city of Jerusalem. Over the centuries people have desired to make pilgrimages there, even during times when to do so might be dangerous. It is a city beloved by several faiths. Let’s take a very quick look at the city of Jerusalem, and also at this short psalm of David, which gives praise and prayer for this holy city.
One name which Jerusalem is often known as is the City of David. King David conquered the city from the Jebusites, making it his capital city. Prior to David, the hill country in and around the city was inhabited by the Jebusites, one of the Canaanite tribes, which had not been completely conquered since the days of Joshua. The priest and king who came to bless Abraham, Melchizedek, was from Salem, which has been traditionally identified with Jerusalem (Genesis 14:18). He was called the king of peace, as the word “Salem” has meant “peace”, and the word “Shalom” stems from it.
David was born and raised in Bethlehem, which is a few miles southeast of Jerusalem. After his victory over the giant Goliath, the young man David decapitated his enemy, and then took his head and brought it to Jerusalem (I Samuel 17:54). He knew that one day he would be king, as a short while earlier the prophet Samuel had anointed him. This perhaps shows that even before he came to the throne, David had plans to make Jerusalem his capital, and was “planting a seed” to stake claims to the city, which still remained in Jebusite control.
During the reign of King Saul, the capital was in Gibeah. However when David came to the throne, he completely conquered Jerusalem from the hands of the Jebusites, and made it his capital in 1003 BC (II Samuel 5:6-10). It remained the capital until the city was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC. It was later rebuilt, and was subsequently destroyed by the Romans on August 29, 70 AD. Over succeeding centuries Jerusalem was under the control and rule of many different powers, including the Byzantines, the Crusaders, the Ottomans, the British, and then in 1947 when Israel came back into the hands of the Jewish people.
The name Jerusalem means “city of peace”, but there have been countless wars and battles fought there, since the days of Joshua on through to this very time, more than probably any other city in the world. David encouraged believers to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (vs. 6-9). Little did he know how desperately his city would need prayers for peace over the coming centuries! Throughout his ministry, Jeremiah prayed and wept for the holy city, as he knew her sins would bring her destruction. Jesus, too, wept and prayed for the city (Luke 19:41-44). We should pray for the peace of Jerusalem, God’s holy city! This peace is much more than an absence of conflict. It is completeness, health, justice, prosperity, and protection. The world cannot produce this peace, as it only comes from God (John 14:27).
After making Jerusalem his capital, King David moved both the Tabernacle from Shiloh in Ephraimite territory, and also the Ark of the Covenant, which was in Kiriath-Jearim following being held by the Philistines, into the city of Jerusalem, where he planned to build the Temple. His son, Solomon, built the Temple, which stood in the heart of the city. David loved to go into the Tabernacle to pray to the Lord, and many devout Jews found joy and peace in coming to the Temple (vs. 1).
Though the city of Jerusalem was rebuilt slowly over the years, following its destruction in 70 AD, there is no Temple there. Christians do not need a Temple to worship God in, as the Holy Spirit indwells each of us, and we can, and should, worship Him anywhere we are. However, corporate worship with other believers is very important, which is why we have churches. How do you feel about going to church each Sunday? Is it a chore for you, something you reluctantly do on occasion? Or does the thought of going to church fill you with delight, like it did with David? When we have unconfessed sin in our hearts, we may not be so eager to worship God, especially with other believers. If our love for Him has grown cold, we are much more likely to skip church. When David fell into sin, he confessed and got right with the Lord. If necessary, we need to follow his example, and then we, too, can say that we are glad when we go into the house of the Lord!
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