St. Joseph

Matthew 1:18-25

Like many Christians, I have a ceramic Nativity set that I put up every Christmas season.  Naturally the Baby Jesus is the focal point.  The Virgin Mary kneels next to the Baby.  The Three Magi in their colorful robes, the shepherds carrying a lamb, and the angels are always popular.  But who is that sometimes overlooked person?  It is Joseph, and we cannot forget him!  Today I would like to take a closer look at St. Joseph, and how he played an important part in the Christmas story.

As our Scripture opens, we read that Joseph was betrothed, or engaged, to marry Mary.  In the days of the Bible, a betrothal or engagement was legally binding.  It was much stronger than today’s engagements, which are often broken on a whim, with little to no consequences.  In those days a betrothal was basically as legally and socially binding as the actual marriage, only the couple did not live together yet.  Knowing this, we can only imagine the complete shock that Joseph had when he heard that Mary was going to have a baby! (vs. 18).

We don’t know if it was Mary herself who told him, or if he heard from other people in the neighborhood.  However Joseph confronted her about this, and the story she told was the second big shock that he had.  Mary told him about the visit from the angel Gabriel, and that she hadn’t been unfaithful.  The baby was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and would be the Son of God.  This was an incredible tale, something that was impossible to believe!

Joseph left and went to his home to think about all of this, and what he was going to do (vs. 19).  We read that he was a just or righteous man.  He practiced his faith, and obeyed the Mosaic Law.  However, Joseph was also a compassionate man.  His righteousness was not harsh or legalistic like that of the Pharisees.  He did not want to publicly shame Mary.

The more he thought about this, the more puzzled he was.  This just didn’t seem like something Mary would do.  Being a devoutly religious man, Joseph would not have chosen a promiscuous woman as a bride, someone who would sleep around with other men in the village.  Nor had Mary ever been known to be a liar, making up tales.  Joseph might have wondered if perhaps she had been assaulted by someone, perhaps a Roman soldier, and the trauma of it had addled her thinking.

Joseph knew that he had to do what was right, as he couldn’t proceed with the betrothal.  That would put him in a bad light, as someone who couldn’t “wait for his wedding”.  Joseph decided to quietly end the betrothal and not make a spectacle of Mary.  She would have to endure enough shame later, and he didn’t want to add to that.

As Joseph slept, the Lord God spoke to him in a dream in which an angel came to him, telling him to take Mary as his wife.  What she had told him about the baby was the truth (vs. 20-21).  The angel confirmed the divine origin of this Baby.  Joseph was obedient to this vision from God, and immediately took Mary as his wife (vs. 24).  He did this knowing that this action would also put him in a bad light within the community, as an unchaste man before his wedding, or as a fool for taking an impure woman as his wife, and raising her illegitimate child.

Joseph obeyed God, and as the Child’s foster father, he was given naming authority, establishing Jesus’ legal Davidic lineage (vs. 21).  He named the Child Jesus, which means “Yahweh saves” or “the Lord is salvation”.  This is the first time in the Gospels that told of the specific mission of Jesus, as our Savior.  The Gospel writer Matthew emphasized here that the conception and birth of Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy, specifically Isaiah 7:14.

Outside of this Scripture passage we discover that Joseph was a carpenter (Matthew 13:55), and not a wealthy one, as he gave the more modest sacrifice when presenting Jesus in the Temple as a baby (Luke 2:22-24).  He was a righteous man who immediately obeyed God whenever He told him to do something, such as marrying Mary, fleeing to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15), and then returning to Nazareth (Matthew 2:19-23).

Joseph never hesitated in his obedience.  He didn’t argue with God about anything he was told to do.  He simply obeyed.  Joseph was an honorable man.  He shielded the one he loved, Mary, the mother of the Son of God, from public shame.  Joseph protected her as they traveled to Bethlehem while she was expecting, and he protected both her and the Baby Jesus from the murderous wrath of King Herod.  Joseph accepted a role that undoubtedly brought him misunderstanding and gossip.  Joseph never wavered from being the godly man who, along with the Virgin Mary, raised the Lord Jesus.

The King of Glory

Psalm 24

Advent for this year is wrapping up, as we move quickly with the last few days before Christmas.  As many Christians know, Advent is the season, beginning four weeks prior to Christmas, where we prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, and also as we look forward to His Second Coming.  Though the birth of Christ was over 2,000 years ago, we still celebrate it, just as we celebrate the birthday of any loved one, especially noting how significant His birth is to our salvation.  His Second Coming is still in the future, and could occur at any time.  That is something every Christian should be preparing for.  Our psalm today is one that speaks of this coming event, as it looks forward to Jesus Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem to establish His millennial kingdom.

King David wrote this psalm, possibly to commemorate the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.  During the reign of the previous king, King Saul, the Philistines had stolen the Ark of the Covenant, and kept it in their country.  After David became king, he completely conquered the Philistines, and one of the first things he did was to return the Ark, bringing it into his capital city of Jerusalem.

As David begins the psalm, he first acknowledges that Yahweh is Creator of all things (vs. 1-2).  As the Creator, He owns everything.  This is a direct contradiction to paganism, evolutionism, and humanistic worldviews.  The phrase “all its fullness” means that every creature, all nations, and their resources belong to Him (Psalm 50:10-12).  We are not the owners of them, we are just the stewards.

As Christians, we can take comfort in this thought.  The truth that God is the Creator and Owner of everything, not only on this earth, but throughout the whole universe, should anchor our trust.  The God who owns all of creation is fully capable of caring for, and providing for His children!

David continued with his psalm by asking the question of who is worthy to approach God? (vs. 3-6).  He is not asking who can go into the tabernacle, but instead he is asking who can truly stand before a holy God.  His answer is someone who has both clean hands and a pure heart - both outward and inward purity.  Also someone who has not practiced idolatry and is not deceitful.  This is not a statement promoting salvation by works.  Rather, it describes the character of those who belong to God, those who have been justified by faith through the finished work of Jesus upon the cross, have accepted Him as their Savior, and are walking in obedience.

In ancient times, a bowl of water was placed at the entrance of the place of worship so that everyone who came to worship the Lord could wash their hands before coming inside.  What dirty objects are we clasping in our hands, holding onto for dear life?  When was the last time you checked to see if your hands were clean?  It is only possible through Jesus Christ.  God desires both our actions to be clean (clean hands), and our motives to be pure (pure heart).  The person who is in such a state is blessed by the Lord.  With the imputed righteousness from the Lord Jesus, they have His favor.

As we continue in the psalm, we read King David’s dramatic and prophetic closing verses (vs. 7-10).  This is where David was initially describing when the Ark of the Covenant was returned to Jerusalem, and the gates symbolically welcomed the presence of God.  It is prophetic in that it looks forward to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, when the King of Glory enters Jerusalem to reign.  Who is the King of Glory?  It is Jesus Christ, the Divine Warrior, mighty in battle (Revelation 19:11-16).  He is the Lord of Hosts, Commander of heaven’s armies.

This is not the meek and lowly Christ of His first coming.  This is the conquering King returning in power.  As we see in this psalm and in the Book of Revelation, Jesus is not only the Savior, He is King of all.  Our worship should always reflect His majesty and authority.

The gates of Jerusalem tell a story of royalty, glory, splendor, and victory.  They welcome the coming King, opened and lifted high!  Remember, God is in control.  He is on the throne, and all of the earth, and everything in it belongs to Him!

A Christmas Prophecy

Isaiah 7:10-14

As we enter the fourth or last week of Advent, and the week of Christmas, our Old Testament Scripture from the Lectionary of the Book of Common Prayer is one of the most prominent or recognized Scriptures for the birth of the Lord Jesus.  It is also a key doctrinal Scripture, as it speaks of the Virgin Birth of Jesus.  Let’s take a look at this cornerstone doctrinal Scripture passage, prophesied 700 years before the birth of Jesus.

As we open our Scripture, it is best to take a look at the historical context of the passage in order to better understand what is happening.  The year is around 735 BC, and King Ahaz is on the throne of the southern Kingdom of Judah.  He is listed as one of the evil kings of Judah, in that he did not follow or worship Yahweh.  At this time he was afraid for the safety of his throne and the kingdom, as the northern Kingdom of Israel had formed an alliance with the Kingdom of Aram (Syria), and were planning on attacking Judah and taking over the kingdom and his throne.

It was at this time that the prophet Isaiah came to King Ahaz and brought him a message from the Lord God.  God was not going to let the Kingdom of Judah be conquered (at least not yet, and not by Israel and Syria).  The Lord sent Isaiah to reassure Ahaz.  As proof, God said that Ahaz could ask Him to perform any miracle (vs. 10-11).

By allowing this evil, unbelieving king to ask of Him a sign, God was showing Ahaz extraordinary grace.  He was telling Ahaz that He would prove His faithfulness and confirm His promises to protect Judah.  God does not fear scrutiny.  When He offers a sign, it is to strengthen faith, not to indulge someone’s unbelief.  Though Ahaz certainly did not deserve anything from the Lord, God’s faithfulness is not dependent on human worthiness.

Ahaz, however, refused to ask for a sign (vs. 12).  This was not the king suddenly being humble before God.  Instead it was more of a sign of his unbelief and rebellion.  Ahaz was already planning on seeking the help of the powerful Assyrian Empire.  Unbelief will sometimes cloak itself in religious language.  However God desires obedience and not pious excuses.

Isaiah rebuked Ahaz for his response and lack of faith (vs. 13).  If you notice, Isaiah shifted from saying “your God” in verse 11 to now saying “my God” in verse 13.  Ahaz had distanced himself from Yahweh, but God remained faithful to His people.  This rebuke was directed to the whole house of David, not just to Ahaz.  The majority of the kings of Judah had forsaken the Lord, however God would act for the sake of His covenant, not Ahaz’s lack of faith.

Because Ahaz refused to ask for a sign, Yahweh Himself gave him and all mankind a sign (vs. 14).  That sign was that a virgin would conceive and bear a Son, and that His Name would be Immanuel.  As this verse is a cornerstone doctrine, showing the Virgin birth, the sinlessness of Christ, the incarnation, and Messianic identity, we need to look into it closely.

Modernists and those who like to twist the Word of God to mean whatever they wish and choose it to, have frequently taken this verse and torn it to shreds.  The Hebrew word that is translated as “virgin” is the word “alma”. It occurs seven times in the Old Testament.  In every instance it implied a young girl of child-bearing age who was a virgin.  Sometime in the mid 3rd century BC (around 280 - 250 BC) ancient Hebrew scholars translated the Old Testament from Hebrew into Greek, which translation today is called the Septuagint.  These Hebrew scholars agreed the word meant a virgin, which is the word they used in Greek.  This was translated over 200 years before Jesus’ birth, so it is an unbiased and reliable witness.

This event that Isaiah described was supposed to be a “sign”, something out of the ordinary, something extraordinary.  A young woman of child-bearing age having a baby is very common.  It happened every day back then, and it happens all the time today, as well.  Nothing special about that.  However, a virgin having a baby is a miraculous sign!  Later when Matthew was writing his Gospel, he identified this prophecy as fulfilled in the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:23).  He stated that though Mary was betrothed to Joseph at the time, they had not come together (Matthew 1:18).  This child was conceived without any human intervention.

Why was it necessary for Jesus to not have a human, earthly father?  This miracle was a plan so that the King of the Universe could be made in the likeness of humanity without inheriting our sinful nature, which is passed on through the father’s seed.

As our passage closes, Isaiah said that one of the names of this miraculous Child to be born would be Immanuel, which as Matthew tells us, means “God with us”.  Jesus is not merely a good teacher or a prophet, as some would have us believe.  He is God incarnate, the wisdom of God in human form.  As Christmas draws closer, let’s meditate on this sign that God gave through the prophet Isaiah some 700 years before the birth of Christ, fulfilled through the Blessed Virgin Mary when God became man, Immanuel.

Dealing With Doubt

Matthew 11:2-11

Do circumstances in your life ever steal away the joy of Christmas?  Do they raise doubts in your mind about Jesus?  Many question why there is so much suffering, unemployment, divorce, or the death of loved ones.  It is particularly hard for some around the holidays.  Sometimes these thoughts going through someone’s mind might make them question God.  Is He really there, and if so, why does He let these sorts of things happen?  This can even happen on occasion to Christians.  It happened to John the Baptist, as we see in our Scripture passage for today.  Let’s see what happened, and how Jesus responded to him.

To best understand this passage we need to look into the background of what had happened to John the Baptist.  As we learn in Scripture, John was the son of Zachariah, a priest in the Temple in Jerusalem, and he grew up in a comfortable home.  The Lord then called him to a difficult ministry where he left his comfortable lifestyle to live in the wilderness, and then eventually to be the forerunner of Jesus, the Messiah.  He preached a message of preparing the way for the Messiah, and particularly of repentance from sin.  John did not soften his message depending on his audience, as he even called out the sins of the king, Herod Antipas.  That eventually got him arrested, and later executed.

At this time, John was sitting in prison, which in first century Israel was a very wretched place to be.  While sitting there, with chains on his arms and legs, probably with only dry bread and water to drink, Satan began to attack his thinking.  He began to wonder if perhaps he might have been wrong in thinking that Jesus was the Messiah (vs. 2-3).  He wondered if perhaps he had been too hasty in coming to that conclusion.  So John sent two of his disciples to Jesus with the pointed question, asking if He was the Messiah, or should they be looking for someone else.  John had preached against sin and God’s coming judgment, but it seemed that he was now the only one facing judgment.  He obeyed God, and now look at what had happened to him.  His faith was taking a beating.

Even the greatest prophet can wrestle with doubt when expectations clash with reality.  John had questions, and he was beginning to have doubts.  However, doubt is not unbelief.  It is a struggle of faith while under trial.  True believers can have doubts at times.  When we do, we need to bring them to Jesus, just like John the Baptist did, and not hide them.  John the Baptist did exactly that.  He brought his doubts and questions to Jesus.

How did Jesus respond when John the Baptist sent some of his disciples to Him with questions and doubts?  He did not chastise him for lack of faith (vs. 4-6).  Instead, Jesus pointed to the prophecies that were fulfilled in His ministry, and the works that confirmed that He was the promised Messiah.  Specifically the Lord mentioned the healings He had performed, such as the blind having vision restored, the lame walking, the lepers being cleansed, and the deaf having their hearing restored.  Jesus also pointed out that the Gospel message was being proclaimed.  This was the fulfillment of Isaiah 35:5-6 and Isaiah 61:1.

The experiences and feelings that John was facing while being in prison, the feelings we may have with the trials we are facing, should not cloud the truth of God’s Word.  When doubts arise, we should look to the objective evidence of the Bible and the works of Jesus, not on our feelings.  Some people’s faith may slip because they feel that Jesus’ way is not what they expected.  However, true faith rests in knowing Jesus as He is revealed, not as we might want to imagine Him.  Jesus calls these believers blessed.

Jesus proceeded to praise John, not put him down (vs. 7-10).  John the Baptist was not someone who was weak or vacillating like a reed shaking in the wind, and he certainly wasn’t someone who succumbed to the lures of the world like someone who is concerned with wearing soft raiment.  Jesus proclaimed that John is “more than a prophet” because he directly prepared the way for the Messiah (Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1).  Having a faithful ministry for the Lord requires courage, simplicity, and devotion.  John the Baptist’s example rebukes the compromise and worldliness that we see in so many well-known preachers of today.

Our Scripture concludes with Jesus proclaiming that John the Baptist was the greatest prophet (vs. 11).  This was because he directly announced the Messiah’s arrival.  Yet even the “least” in the Kingdom enjoys greater privilege, because we live on the resurrection side of redemption.  Salvation’s fullness in Jesus surpasses even the greatest Old Testament privileges.  The indwelling Holy Spirit and completed Gospel revelation are blessings that John never experienced.

As we look back over this Scripture passage we learn that when the trials that we all face might bring some doubts, if what we might be going through, especially in the holiday season, causes us to question why God allows these things, we need to turn to Jesus like John did.  We need to return to the Bible and let the words and life of the Lord Jesus strengthen our faith.

Patience and Perseverance

James 5:7-10

Have you ever waited eagerly but impatiently for someone’s arrival?  Or perhaps it was just the opposite, you knew someone was coming, but really didn’t want them to show up.  Maybe it was the holidays, and you were eagerly awaiting a beloved relative to finally show up.  Perhaps they lived far away, and in the days before cell phones and GPS, you weren’t sure exactly when they would show up.  Or perhaps when you were a child and up to some mischief and pranks, you didn’t want your parents or the teacher to show up, but knew they could at any time.  Our Scripture today speaks of waiting for Someone to show up, and urges us to continue to be patient.

Patience is a virtue that the Lord wants His children to cultivate in their lives, as it is one of the fruits of the Spirit.  James is instructing us here that, in addition to the usual things that we might get impatient about, there is another thing that Christians sometimes get a little impatient for, and that is for when the Lord Jesus will return (vs. 7).  This can be particularly true when our lives are hard, and we are going through some difficult times.  When we are going through health struggles, financial difficulties, family problems, or even persecutions, we may start really longing for the return of the Lord Jesus, which will bring an end to our problems.  When we look around the world today and see all of the sin and evil going on day after day, we long for His return when He will put an end to all of that.

Desiring the return of Jesus is a good thing, however James instructs us to be patient for that day.  Though Jesus gave us some indicators when that day is getting closer, we do not know exactly when that day will occur.  It could be any day, and we are to wait for that day with patience, just like the farmers wait patiently for their crops (vs. 7-8).  The farmer waits for his fruit with patience, and likewise we must endure trials, trusting in God’s timing.  Patience here is not passive resignation, but active endurance, rooted in faith that God is working all things for good.

The return of Jesus is imminent, it could happen at any time.  This should motivate us to more holy living and patient endurance.  In the days of the Old Testament, faithful Jews eagerly awaited the coming of the Messiah.  He did come, though, “in the fullness of time”, when God planned.  During Advent we remember that time of waiting, as we also eagerly await His second coming.  Until then we should be living each day as if Jesus could return this very hour.

In the meantime, James tells us to “establish our hearts” (vs. 8).  That means to strengthen, to fix firmly, and to anchor our inner life in Jesus.  Such stability comes from reading and studying the Scripture, by prayer, and obedience to the Lord, not through emotions or circumstances.  When we establish our faith firmly in God’s promises, He will strengthen our hearts as we wait for His return.

James also warns us against grumbling and murmuring against our Christian brothers and sisters (vs. 9).  We should not be the type of person that holds grudges and harbors bitterness over things others have done.  Though sometimes it is not easy, we need to practice forgiveness and unity, knowing that Jesus Himself is the Judge.  If we are busy grumbling and holding grudges, we only invite God’s chastening.  James reminds us not to fall into the trap of acting any way we might want to, as Jesus could return at any time.  As he states, the Judge is right outside the door!

We are then counseled to take for our example other godly believers and saints from the past, those in the Bible, and also those throughout the centuries since then (vs. 10).  They lived lives of patience and often of suffering, as well, and consistently gave witness to the Name of Jesus, both by word and their example.  Many endured affliction faithfully, modeling patience for us.  Their endurance should encourage us to remain steadfast when mocked or opposed.

Jesus is standing right at the door.  At any moment He may come through.  Are we patiently waiting for His return?  Are we busy doing what He has instructed us to do, or are we living the way the world wishes and up to no good?  Let’s be patient and persevere!

The Warrior's Psalm

Psalm 144

Frequently life seems to be a struggle, and sometimes even a battle.  No one is exempt from struggles, including Christians.  Sometimes the battles we face are caused or brought about by other people.  And very frequently it is a spiritual battle that we are in.  Like all of us, David experienced both battles and struggles with people and against the forces of darkness.  Our psalm for today, written by David, and sometimes called The Warrior’s Psalm, tells us of how he faced these experiences.

As our psalm opens, we read where we, as believers, will find our help, and the strength we need when faced with battles (vs. 1-2).  David tells us that we will find help in the Lord, as He is our strong Rock, and our High Tower where we can take refuge when enemies, whether physical or spiritual, come against us.  He is our Shield and Deliverer.  We can and should depend on God for our strength, and not on ourselves.

When we are faced with a battle, when the enemies of the Lord come against us, we need to remember that this is a spiritual battle.  In our personal lives, God does not want us to go out and physically fight and attack our enemies.  Instead, we are to put on our spiritual armor, each piece of which is described in Ephesians 6:10-18.  God trains us through His Word to fight against sin, Satan, and the world.

In the next verses (vs. 3-4), David then repeats the thoughts he had in another psalm, where he states how insignificant mankind is compared to God’s majesty (Psalm 8:4).  Job had also stated similar sentiments in Job 7:17.  Our lives are fleeting, just like shadows.  This should humble us.  We are nothing apart from God’s grace, yet in spite of that He deeply cares for us and loves us.  It is amazing but true that the great God of the Universe stoops to care for frail humanity.

David then continues in his psalm by praying for the Lord God to “bow down Your heavens”, and deliver him from his enemies who speak lying words (vs. 5-8).  He has seen throughout the history of his nation, and in his own personal life as well, that God intervenes in history to protect His people.  We can know that in our own life, too.  Believers can, and should pray earnestly for God’s deliverance from enemies, both physical enemies who oppose God’s truth, and spiritual enemies from Satan’s kingdom of darkness.

As our psalm continues, we read of David giving both praise and prayers to the Lord (vs 9-11).  Praise and prayer go hand in hand.  It should never be one-sided.  We should never just continually bring our prayers to God, but never give Him thanks or praise.  David vowed to worship and praise God even as he pleaded for His help.  When we go through trials in our life, which we all will do from time to time, we should not only pray to the Lord for His help and deliverance, but also commit to bringing Him praise and thanksgiving, glorifying God when He answers.

David concludes his psalm with a vision of national blessing from the Lord (vs. 12-15).  He describes the blessings of a godly nation, one with sons strong as plants and daughters polished as corner stones.  A nation with full barns, with multiplying sheep and strong oxen, and with no breaches of security, but instead safety in the streets.  National prosperity is tied to God’s blessings.  We see this reflected in the covenant promises that God made to Israel, recorded in Deuteronomy 28.  For Christians, this points to the principle that righteousness exalts a nation (Proverbs 14:34).  A godly people will enjoy peace and prosperity under God’s hand.  We all should be praying that our respective nations will turn to Jesus, and for a spiritual revival throughout our country.

This would also apply on a personal level and in our families and with our children.  From a very early age Christian parents should be teaching their children about Jesus and the Bible.  If we are following Jesus and obeying His Word, though we will face trials and tribulations throughout life, we will also receive His blessings and His peace in our life.  True joy and security come only when we acknowledge God in our life.

In conclusion, when we face battles and struggles in our life, we should trust in God as our fortress, and be prepared with our spiritual armor on and ready.  In our families we need to pray for our children to be strong in the faith, just like a strong, well-rooted plant and polished foundation stones.  True blessings come when we honor the Lord.  When we do, this will show the world that happiness is found only in knowing the Lord Jesus as Savior.  Whether in battle, family life, or national prosperity, Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!

A Desert in Bloom

Isaiah 35:1-10

Picture in your mind an arid desert.  All you can see is a wasteland with tumbleweed and an occasional cactus.  Even in some old western movies they show the dried out bones of some cattle.  What if someone showed you a photo of that exact same place in the wilderness, however this time it was filled with colorful, blooming flowers.  This does happen, though it is rare.  The conditions must be just right, with just the right amount of rainfall, which is rare in the desert.  The flower seeds lie dormant underground for sometimes as long as ten years or more, and then when the conditions are right, they bloom, rivaling even a rose garden for beauty.  Our Scripture for today speaks of this happening in the lives of God’s children, a passage of hope and restoration.

Our Scripture today is from the prophet Isaiah, and he speaks of a vision the Lord gave him of the coming kingdom when the Messiah will reign on earth, and all of creation is renewed.  Isaiah begins by speaking of a wilderness and wasteland.  Many years ago I was out in New Mexico and Arizona, and unfortunately it was not during the rare times when the desert flowers bloomed.  It was hot, dry, and arid.  No nice, green lawns.  Scarcely a tree, but plenty of cactus.  In Isaiah’s Scripture, he describes the desert blossoming like a rose (vs. 1-2).  Everyone rejoices then!  This scene points to the literal transformation of the land of Israel during the Millennium.  The curse that had been put on creation when Adam fell into sin will be lifted, and the barren desert will flourish.  As St. Paul tells us in Romans 8:19-22, all of creation groans, awaiting this time of redemption.

Our lives can be like that, too.  Spiritually the unsaved are a dry, barren desert.  Even if one is saved, if they are not walking with the Lord, they can feel like being in a desert, as well.  However, God can bring life where there was once only barrenness.  He can transform the deserts of our lives into fruitful places when we walk with Him.

As Isaiah continues, he describes how at this time the Lord will give strength for the weak (vs. 3-4).  God’s people, who are weary from oppression and judgment, are encouraged to trust in God’s coming deliverance.  These verses are echoed in the New Testament, in Hebrews 12:12.  Believers today can take courage, as God is faithful to deliver.  We can be encouraged during the dark and fearful days.  Jesus has come for us.  He is alive here and now for us.  He will bring us home to be with Him forever.  He has made a way.

The next couple of verses describe our healing and restoration (vs. 5-6).  These miracles, that of healing the blind, the deaf, and the lame, were partially fulfilled in Jesus’ earthly ministry (Matthew 11:4-5).  However, they will be fully realized in His kingdom reign.  Jesus is the Great Physician.  Just as He healed physically, He also heals spiritually, opening blind eyes to the truth and unstopping deaf ears to the Gospel.

The prophet Isaiah was foretelling the coming of Jesus, who is our source of life (vs. 7-8).  He gives living water to everyone who trusts in Him (John 7:37-38).  He gives the Holy Spirit to all who believe in Him.  Even in our driest times, the Spirit is with us, sustaining us, strengthening us, and keeping us in Christ.  The “Highway of Holiness” symbolizes the path that is reserved for the redeemed.  It is exclusive, as no unclean thing shall pass over it.  Holiness is not optional.  Believers are called to walk in purity, set apart from the world.  This verse reminds us that salvation produces a changed walk.

Isaiah finishes this portion of Scripture with proclaiming the joy of the redeemed (vs. 9-10).  This describes the ultimate gathering of God’s children, the redeemed and restored, under the Messiah’s reign.  It foreshadows the eternal joy of all the redeemed in heaven.  The Christian life does not end in sorrow, but in everlasting joy.  Our trials are temporary, but our glory is eternal.  We see this fulfilled in Revelation 21:4 where there will be no more sorrow and no more tears.

With our eternal future secured by God’s promises, we can trust Him through life’s seasons of drought and drenching storms.  Deeply rooted in God’s love, we can grow, blooming into His likeness until, just at the right time, Jesus returns and sets all things right.

John the Baptist

Matthew 3:1-12

If someone came from living years out in the wilderness by himself, and came to town dressed very unconventionally, and preaching a message that we were all sinners that needed to repent, would you listen?  Or would you think that this fellow was crazy, perhaps even dangerous?  Today’s Gospel message is of just such a fellow.  Let’s take a look at this very unique person and his very important message.

As Chapter 3 begins, the Apostle Matthew introduces us to John the Baptist.  From other Gospels, we know that John was a relative of Jesus, most likely a cousin, as his mother and Jesus’ mother were relatives.  John’s father, Zacharias, was a priest at the Temple in Jerusalem, and he would have been raised in a comfortable household.  However, he felt the Lord’s calling upon him, and sometime prior to our Scripture, he left his home in Jerusalem to pray and fast in the wilderness of Judea, likely west of the capital.  Now the Lord had directed him back to the area around the Jordan River, several miles west of Jerusalem, and he had a message for the people (vs. 1-2).  That message was that people needed to repent, for God’s Kingdom was coming.

People don’t like the words “repent” or “sin”.  Repent means to make a radical change in one’s life, to turn and go in the opposite direction from sin, and towards God.  It also involves an element of grief over the way we have lived apart from God, and a decision to run towards the Father. Repentance is not optional if one is to have a relationship with God.  Today, far too many preachers never mention the words “repentance” or “sin”.  For those preachers their messages are all about self-esteem or worldly comfort.  That was not what John the Baptist had to say.  His message was urgent because the King, the Messiah, was about to be revealed.

Matthew continues by identifying John the Baptist as the one that Isaiah the prophet had foretold (vs. 3).  In Isaiah 40:3, the prophet foretold of one preaching in the wilderness to prepare the way for the Lord, which was exactly what John’s ministry was about - preparing the way for Jesus by urging the people to repent and turn away from their sins.  God’s Word is always fulfilled.  We can trust His promises about Jesus’ second coming just as His first coming was fulfilled.

Next we have a description of John the Baptist (vs. 4).  He was not dressed in the standard robes and tunics that men wore in those days.  Instead he wore a garment made from camel’s hair, with a leather belt around it, reminiscent of the prophet Elijah (II Kings 1:8).  Nor did he eat the usual food of that day.  His diet consisted of locusts and wild honey.  Jesus later bore witness that John the Baptist also fulfilled the prophecy in Malachi that Elijah would return before the Day of the Lord (Malachi 3:1, 4:5; Matthew 11:14).  John’s clothing and diet choices showed that he made a separation in his life from worldly luxury.  Though the Lord doesn’t call each of us to show such extremes in our clothing and diet, our lives should reflect humility and holiness, not worldly indulgence.  Our lives should point others to Jesus, not ourselves.

Crowds were eager to hear John’s message, as they came from Jerusalem, Judea, and the areas around the Jordan River.  They were baptized as they repented of their sins (vs. 5-6).  This baptism here was a public confession of repentance, preparing their hearts for the coming Messiah.  Two groups of people that also showed up to hear John preach were the Pharisees and the Sadducees (vs. 7-10).  John did not soften his message for that audience.  He was not afraid to speak the truth, the specific message that the Lord gave him.  Too many preachers today, especially in some megachurches, tip-toe around, making sure their message won’t offend anyone, and they never speak of sin or the need for repentance.  Everything is sugar-coated, soft, and fluffy, a “feel-good” message to please everyone.  Not John!  He rebuked them, and reminded them that mere religious heritage does not save.  That is true then and now.  Salvation requires personal repentance, not who one's parents or grandparents were.  True faith will also produce fruit.

John also told the people that his baptism was with water, but the coming Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire (vs. 11-12).  The Holy Spirit brings regeneration to those He comes upon at salvation, and also indwells all believers.  The fire that the Lord brings is judgment upon those who are unrepentant.  Jesus will separate the wheat, those who are true believers, from the chaff, which are the unsaved.  John’s baptism was preparatory, but Christ’s work is eternal.

As we close this Gospel message, finishing out this second week of Advent, we should examine our life, seeing if we have genuine repentance of our sins, and then fruit that shows that repentance.  Don’t strive for a life of luxury, but instead live a life where we are pointing others to the Lord Jesus.  And then, as John the Baptist did, urgently share the Gospel with others, as judgment is coming, and only Jesus can save.

The God of Hope

Romans 15:4-13

Have you ever heard a Christian say that they felt that the Old Testament was obsolete, that it wasn’t necessary anymore?  Perhaps you have even felt that way.  Perhaps you felt that it was just way too long and way too old.  That it was just a lot of dusty, ancient history, and dry words from long-dead prophets.  Perhaps keep one or two beautiful psalms, but you felt the rest could be stashed away on a bookshelf somewhere.  There are even a few denominations that feel that way, and do not ever use or read from the Old Testament.  Thankfully, those are few.  In our Scripture today from the New Testament book of Romans, God, through the words of St. Paul, tells us something about the books of the Old Testament.

When Paul wrote his letter to the church in Rome, the Old Testament was already many hundreds of years old.   The last book written was Malachi, which was written around 430 BC, which was close to 500 years earlier than when Paul wrote this epistle.  Our Scripture is near to the end of the epistle, and in our opening verse, the Apostle reminds the believers that the Old Testament is still very important to them, and to us today, as well.  Those books, from Genesis to Malachi, are not outdated (vs. 4).  They were written for our instruction, not just for the people who lived before Christ, but for those believers in Paul’s day, and for us today.  As we read in II Timothy 3:16, all Scripture is inspired by God, which includes the Old Testament.  As God’s inspired Word, it is not something that we can just lay aside.  It is sufficient for teaching and encouragement.  We do not need human philosophy, as the Bible provides true hope.

As Paul continues in this passage, he encourages these believers to be likeminded with each other, of one mind and one voice (vs. 5-6).  When Christians are united in Christ, their worship will glorify God with one voice.  However, being likeminded does not mean that we compromise with doctrine or truth.  Different churches can have different opinions about minor issues, like how many hymns are sung each Sunday and at what point in the service, or when the offering is taken, or even if a box should be put in the back for people to drop their offering into.  However, with doctrinal truth, we should never compromise.  True unity is doctrinal unity, agreement in the truth of God’s Word, not in joining with those who reject the truth and inspiration of the Bible just so that they get along.

We are called to receive other believers, just as Jesus received us (vs. 7).  We are to welcome them, regardless of background, because salvation is by grace alone, not by works, or race, economic or social standing.  This leads into his teaching that Jesus came both for the Jews and also for the Gentiles, which he backs up with several quotes from the Old Testament (vs. 8-12).  Jesus came as a minister to the Jews to confirm God’s promises to them.  However, contrary to what some were teaching then in opposition to Paul’s teaching, the Gentiles were also included in God’s plan.

Paul gives us several references from the Old Testament where God told His people quite plainly that the Gentiles were included in His plan for salvation.  He gives us quotations from Psalm 18:49; Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalm 117:1; and Isaiah 11:1, 10.  God’s promises all throughout the Bible are literal and they are trustworthy.  We see that the Gentile people are invited to share with Israel in God’s mercy.  The church is made up of all nations, united in Christ, fulfilling God’s eternal plan.

Our Scripture passage ends with a blessing of hope, joy, and peace (vs. 13).  God Himself is the God of hope.  We have the power through Him to shake off the chains of despair.  Joy and peace come only through faith in Jesus, not through worldly pursuits.  Christian hope is not a vague wish.  Christian hope is a sure confidence that we will receive what God has promised us.  Because God keeps His promises, we can live with joyful hope.

As Christians, we can be strengthened with the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. This world is filled with godlessness and evil. It is easy for Christians to be discouraged and fearful.  Instead, we needed to be like a sunflower, whose bright face follows the sun.  We need to keep looking to the Son of God, looking to Him day and night.  No matter how difficult our circumstances, no matter how hopeless our situation, divine hope can fill our hearts, knowing that one day God will wipe away every tear and take away all pain.

The Just and Righteous King

Psalm 72

Our psalm this week, for the Second Week of Advent, continues the theme of looking forward to the Second Coming, and the Messianic reign of the Lord Jesus Christ.  This is almost a companion Scripture to our previous study earlier this week.  Let’s see what we can learn from this portion of God’s Word.

This psalm has a superscription which attributes it to King Solomon, in which case the king would have written it for his son and heir, Rehoboam.  Some scholars believe that the psalm may have been written by King David, for his son Solomon.  The psalm is a prayer, either for Solomon’s son Rehoboam, or David’s son Solomon, to be a good and ideal king, who will rule the country in righteousness.  Neither one, though, would really live up to the thoughts of this psalm.  In some senses, Solomon was the greatest king, in that he expanded the kingdom to its greatest size, and enriched the kingdom to its greatest point.  However, spiritually King Solomon was the ruler who led the country into idolatry, reintroducing the people into worshiping pagan idols.  Solomon’s son Rehoboam certainly did not live up to this psalm’s ideal, as it was during his reign that the kingdom split into two, the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and the Southern Kingdom of Judah.  Reading through, we see that this psalm is Messianic, as it points forward to the reign of Jesus Christ in His coming Millennial Kingdom.

Whether this psalm was written by or for Solomon, the psalmist prayed that the king would have God’s wisdom to rule his people and nation justly (vs. 1-4).  They prayed that the king would judge with justice, especially for the poor, implying they would not be blinded by bribes from the wealthy.  The king should also deliver the poor and needy from those who would oppress them.  This reflects God’s character and His desire for leaders to uphold these values.

Throughout this psalm we see that it foreshadows the Lord Jesus, the King of kings, who will rule with perfect righteousness.  He will bring impartial judgment.  He will defend the weak and defeat all evil.  As Christians, we should pray for our leaders, whether they are presidents, prime ministers, or kings, that they would seek God’s wisdom, justice, and compassion for the poor.

The psalmist continues by praying that the king’s reign would bring prosperity and peace (vs. 5-7).  They also pray that the king’s reign would extend to the ends of the earth (vs. 8-11).  Whether written by David or Solomon, it’s not likely that they really believed their realm would truly cover the whole world, so this was likely just a figure of speech to them.  However, as being a Messianic prophecy, it is literal and genuine as it foreshadows Christ’s universal reign.  In the Millennial Kingdom Jesus will rule over all nations.  His dominion will be from sea to sea, to the ends of the earth, and His enemies will bow and lick the dust.  Kings will bring Jesus tribute, and all nations will serve Him, recognizing His authority.

The king is called to have compassion for the poor and needy, delivering them from oppression and violence (vs. 12-14).  God has a heart for the marginalized and vulnerable.  Jesus is the defender of the weak, unlike some earthly rulers who often exploit them.  In His Millennial reign, He will show perfect justice, mercy, and deliverance.  Our rulers, and ourselves as well, should reflect His compassion in caring for the poor and oppressed.

As our psalm continues we see a prayer for the king’s name and legacy to endure forever (vs. 15-17).  Earthly kings or presidents’ rule will come to an end, but Jesus’ reign is eternal.  This clearly points to the eternal rule and kingship of Jesus (Philippians 2:9-11).  Our hope should not be in any temporary government or leader, but in the everlasting kingdom of Jesus.

The psalmist concluded the psalm with praise to God, acknowledging Him as the source of all blessings, and that His Name will be blessed forever (vs. 18-20).  As believers, we have hope in Jesus Christ, the ultimate fulfillment of this psalm.  He alone will bring true justice, peace, and prosperity.

The Root of Jesse

Isaiah 11:1-10

A quick look at a calendar will show us that we are beginning the second week in December.  On the Church calendar we see that this is the Second Week of Advent, as well.  In anticipation of the coming Christmas holiday, many people have already set up their Christmas decorations.  Our Old Testament Scripture for this Second Sunday of Advent is a beautiful Messianic prophecy from the prophet Isaiah, which points directly to the coming Messiah, along with His future reign.  Let’s see what the Lord tells us through His prophet Isaiah.

Have you ever seen a stump from a tree that was recently cut down, and coming back a little while later you observe that the sprout of a new tree is beginning to grow out of the stump?  That is because the root system underground was not destroyed, and still has life in it.  This doesn’t happen all the time, but occasionally it does, especially with deciduous trees.  We often speak of “family trees”, where a common ancestor is the root, and then various branches of the family are filled in.  Isaiah spoke here about the root of Jesse, the father of King David (vs. 1).  His descendants were sitting upon the throne of the Kingdom of Judah.  Not that far in the future, though, that tree would be cut down, and there would be no more rulers in Judah.  By the time shortly before Jesus’ birth, the royal line of David was as dead as a stump. Though there were many descendants of David (Joseph was one), none were in any position whatsoever to reign.  However, Isaiah prophesied that a root would come forth from that stump, the Lord Jesus Christ, and He would reign forever.  God preserved that root.

As Isaiah continued, he spoke of this root out of Jesse, which is the Lord Jesus, and how God’s Spirit would rest upon Him.  His ministry was a Spirit-filled one (Luke 4:18), including such gifts of the Spirit as wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear of the Lord.  As Christians today, we are also called to walk in the Spirit, and reflect Jesus’ character in our life.

The next several verses speak more directly to the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus, still yet to be fulfilled, when He returns to judge the world (vs. 3-5).  Jesus will rule with perfect justice.  He will not judge by outward appearance, but instead with righteousness.  All too often we pass judgement by outward appearances, even in the justice system.  However, circumstances and situations aren’t always as they might appear.  When relevant information is missing or overlooked, we make assumptions.  How often do we jump to the wrong conclusions because we failed to get all of the facts?  How often have our thoughts of others been judgmental?  Instead, the judgment that Jesus gives will be righteous.  He will defend the poor and slay the wicked with His Word.  Believers should reflect His discernment and fairness with our judgment, as well.

As we continue with our Scripture, we come to verses that are familiar to many people, which speak of the peaceable kingdom that Jesus will bring when He returns (vs. 6-9).  Ever since the Fall of Adam and his expulsion from the Garden of Eden, many animals have become dangerous, both to humans and to other animals.  Wolves are natural enemies to sheep.  Lions, leopards, and bears will attack and eat cattle.  Little children are not safe around any of them.  Yet in the Millennial reign of the Lord Jesus these, and all animals, will live peacefully with each other.  The curse that came upon the earth back in Genesis 3 will be reversed, and the earth will be restored to the glory it had in the Garden.  The harmony that creation once had will be restored.

As Isaiah closed this portion of Scripture, he proclaimed that this Root of Jesse, the Lord Jesus Christ, stands as a banner to His people, and to all of the Gentile world, which will seek Him (vs. 10).  Jesus is not only Israel’s Messiah, but also the Savior of all nations of the world (Romans 15:12).  As we read throughout the Book of Acts, the Gospel’s spread to the Gentiles fulfilled this prophecy, and it continues to be fulfilled to this day, as God’s message spreads to all corners of the world.  The ultimate fulfillment, though, awaits Christ’s reign when all nations will submit to Him.

As we close we see things that we can look forward to, just as we look forward to Christmas now.  We can look forward to the day when Jesus will bring His righteous judgment.  We can look forward to when all of creation will be in peace and harmony with each other.  Won’t it be nice to go up to a lion and hug him around the neck, putting your face into his wonderful mane, and roll around playing with the bears?  And most of all, it will be a glorious day when all nations will bow and worship the Lord Jesus Christ! 

Just as in the Days of Noah

Matthew 24:37-44

The date is August 24th, and the year is 79 AD.  We are in a village about 15 miles south of Naples, Italy.  The day started just as every other day had.  People woke up, they ate breakfast, and started their usual routine.  Some went off to their jobs, others headed to the marketplace, and then some might have headed off to school.  As the day progressed, life was just as it had always been.  If someone had paid attention, the mountain just a few miles away was occasionally giving off some small puffs.  If they had noticed, they didn’t pay much attention to it, and that was a fatal mistake.  If they had, they might have warned the community, people would have quickly gotten out of town, and lives saved.  That afternoon that mountain, which was Mt. Vesuvius blew in a thunderous volcano, and several thousand people in that village of Pompeii died.  The suddenness of their destruction is forever immortalized in the archeological remains of that village.  Jesus warns us in our Scripture today of another day which will suddenly come, and which will forever change lives.  Will we be prepared?  Let’s take a look at God’s Word.

Today’s Scripture passage is from the Gospel of Matthew, and it continues on with Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, a series of teachings He gave just days before the crucifixion.  Jesus warned His followers of the need to be ready when He will return at His Second Coming.  The Savior spoke about another time in history, during the days of Noah, when people’s lives were going on like usual.  Then suddenly something happened that they weren’t prepared for, specifically the Flood, and sudden destruction came upon them (vs. 37-39).  It took Noah several years to build the Ark, and during that time he was witnessing to the people, and telling them about the coming Flood.  However, everyone ignored him, even mocking him.  They were oblivious to their impending judgment.  Then the flood came suddenly, sweeping away the unprepared.

Jesus warned that things will be similar when He returns.  The world today mirrors the complacency of the people at the time of Noah and the Flood.  Most people today ignore or mock God’s warnings.  They pursue their own pleasures and routines, but are blind to eternal realities.

As He describes, when Jesus returns there will be a division between people - those who are prepared for Him, and those who are not (vs. 40-41).  Salvation is personal.  Who we are related to doesn’t matter for anyone.  One could be the child of one of the greatest preachers who ever lived, but if they are not saved themselves, it won’t matter.  They will be left.  Nor does it matter what job you have or how many Christians you know.  Only personal faith in Jesus matters.  One will be taken, and the other won’t.

As Jesus continues His message, He warns His followers to be constantly alert and ready for His return (vs. 42-44).  He compares His return to that of a thief coming in the middle of the night.  We never know when that happens.  So it will be when Jesus returns.  It will be unexpected, disruptive to one’s daily life, and it will be unavoidable.  The fate of everyone will then be determined.  Because of this, we need to live holy and alert lives, not being lulled into spiritual slumber.  Readiness means walking in obedience, telling others about the Savior, and keeping eternity in view.

There are no signs that pinpoint the exact day or hour when Jesus’ return will occur.  It could be at any moment.  Thus, each individual person should be prepared.  No one can rely on another’s faith.  Outside of faith in Jesus Christ, final destruction is sure to everyone.  No rank, possession, or character will be enough to save a single soul who has not believed in Jesus.  All were safe on the Ark from the lowliest critter to the most powerful.  All are safe who come to Jesus in faith.

God provided one solitary way of escape from the flood waters, and that was the Ark.  Only Noah and his family got on, and only they were spared.  Because they rejected God’s way to be spared, everyone else was doomed to die in the Flood.  God has provided one solitary way of salvation to escape from eternal destruction today, and that is through the Name of Jesus (Acts 4:12).  The only true safety and security in these days is by resting securely in the hands of the Savior.

A Debt That We Owe

Romans 13:8-14

Many people have debts that they owe - a mortgage on a house, a car loan, a balance on a credit card, student loan debt, or high medical bills.  Sometimes, with careful budgeting and financial planning, people can get these paid off, and then they are debt free.  Or are they?  In our Scripture for today, from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, we read about one debt that we always owe.  Let’s look into our Scripture and see what that is.

As we open our Bible passage, Paul urges his readers to not owe anything to anyone (vs. 8).  I don’t believe that Paul is saying one shouldn’t buy a house and have a mortgage, or anything like that, and for some people, medical bills can be a big debt.  However, we shouldn’t live our life with the habit of continually buying, and accumulating an unnecessary, substantial debt.  Believers should not be burdened by unpaid debts or obligations.  There is one debt, though, that the Bible said we all will have, and that is the ongoing debt of loving one another. That is a debt that is always owed.  We never come to a day when we can say that we’ve paid off our debt to love this or that person, and we don’t need to love them anymore!

Love is the fulfillment of the moral law (vs. 9).  As we read through the Ten Commandments, we see that by obeying these laws we show love, not only to God, but to our neighbor, as well.  If we love others, we are restrained from doing them any harm, as love seeks the good of other people.  If we genuinely love our family and our neighbor, we won’t lie to them, steal from them, and certainly not commit adultery, or murder them.  We seek their good, their welfare.

Love is not just some warm, fuzzy feeling that makes you giddy like a schoolgirl infatuation.  Love is active.  It does no harm, but actively does good for others (vs. 10).  This is not sentimental love, but Biblical, Spirit-enabled love.  It is rooted in obedience to God’s Word.  Our daily conduct should be measured by whether we bless or harm others.  To love as Jesus did means that we incorporate God’s self-sacrificing love into our hearts.  In Jesus, God showed us not only perfect obedience to the Law, but perfect love, as well.

As we continue in our passage, we are urged to live a life showing love because as each day passes, we are closer to the day when Jesus will return (vs. 11).  Knowing this, we need to live with vigilance, not in a spiritual slumber. We are exhorted to spiritual alertness.  The word “salvation” here in the context of this verse refers not to one’s initial justification when one turns to Jesus as is saved.  Rather, it refers to our final deliverance when Jesus returns.

Frequently throughout the Bible the words “light” and “darkness”, along with “day” and “night” have a spiritual context with either righteousness or sin and evil.  As believers, we must reject sinful practices, the “works of darkness”, and instead arm ourselves with Christ’s righteousness, His light (vs. 12).  This is a call to separate ourselves from the world’s philosophies and sinfulness, and to actively live holy lives.

Paul continues by listing some sins which were common in pagan society then, and which are still very common in today’s society, some two thousand years later, and that is immorality, drunkenness, and strife (vs. 13).  Such behavior is incompatible with living a life as a child of God, of one who seeks to pattern their life after Jesus.  Our life should be lived in uprightness and pureness.  Our testimony must be clean, avoiding both outward sins, such as immorality and drunkenness, and inward sins, such as envy and strife.

As Christians, our life is to be clothed with Jesus Himself (vs. 14).  To “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” means to live in conscious submission to Him, reflecting His character in our own life.  We must make an effort to not feed our sinful desires, but instead walk in a way that Jesus would.  When we choose to follow Jesus as our Lord, He begins the process of making us more like Himself each day.  It is not a matter of pretending to be what we are not, but rather of becoming more and more of what we are in Christ.

As we close, let us remember that every day brings us one day closer to that great day when we shall reach the end of our journey, and we shall see our Savior's face.  That’s the thought that can keep us going.  Now, at this time, we see Jesus in the Bible, but someday we shall see Him face to face!

Let Us Go to the House of the Lord

Psalm 122

How do you feel about getting up on a Sunday morning to attend church?  Would you rather roll back over in bed to sleep some more, as perhaps that is the only day that you might be able to sleep a little later?  Some denominations also frequently offer an additional church service later on a Saturday afternoon.  But would that also elicit complaints of inconvenience, as it messes up Saturday plans?  Are you glad to be able to attend church, or is it something that you do out of habit, something instilled in you from childhood?  In our psalm today, King David speaks of his feelings about going to worship.  Let’s see what he has to say.

It is probably safe to assume that as king, David led a rather busy life.  There are all sorts of things that need to be done by a king in order to keep the country running smoothly.  Kings, even if they are not the absolute ruler, have rather tight schedules.  King David, though, as busy as he might have been on any given day, was glad when any one of his friends invited him to go along together to God’s house to worship (vs. 1).

At this time the Temple in Jerusalem had not yet been built.  That would be built later by David’s son, Solomon.  Worship, particularly on holy days, along with all animal sacrifices, were done at the Tabernacle, which was an enclosure made by heavy curtains on poles.  The Tabernacle contained the altar for sacrifices, along with the Ark of the Covenant.  David rejoiced at the invitation to worship in God’s house.  Even if it meant having to delay reviewing important papers, sending out dispatches, keeping track of military strategies, or postponing an important state meeting, David was always willing to attend worship services.  David was a man after God’s heart, and as a true believer, he delighted in gathering to worship with God’s people.  This wasn’t entertainment for him, but was obedience to God’s command.

David loved the city of Jerusalem.  One of the city’s titles is “The City of David”.  He had made it his capital city.   The previous king, King Saul, had ruled out of Gibeah, which is about five or so miles north of Jerusalem.  During his reign, David tried to keep Jerusalem stable and unified (vs. 3-5).  He described it as “compact together”, a city unified and orderly.  It is the place of God’s throne, where judgment and authority are exercised.

The Church today should also reflect unity in truth, built firmly on the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:20-22).  The unity that we have as believers must be grounded in sound doctrine, not in giving in to compromising Biblical truths just to keep the peace.  Though we should always strive for unity in our churches, that should never be at the expense of doctrinal purity.  Always stand firm on God’s Word, the Bible.

As our psalm continues, we are told to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (vs. 6-9).  The name “Jerusalem” in Hebrew means city of peace, or foundation of peace.  The Hebrew root word yru means both foundation and city.  And the Hebrew word shalem, or more commonly shalom, means peace and wholeness.  Shalom is more than just an absence of conflict.  It means that things are as they should be.  Our relationship with God, one another, and the world is as it was designed to be.  David knew that peace in the city meant stability for worship and national life.

As we have seen in previous studies, Jerusalem is not merely historical, it is central to God’s future kingdom plan, pointing to Jesus’ future reign in the Millennial Kingdom.  Praying for peace in Jerusalem and Israel isn’t just something that was for back in David’s day.  It is still a command from God’s Word.  Today Christians should still be praying for Israel and anticipating Christ’s return when true peace will reign.

Looking back over Psalm 122, though it is a relatively short psalm, it still has practical lessons for us today.  As Christians, we should have a love for gathering with other believers.  Jesus promised that whenever two or more are gathered in His Name, He is there in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20).  We should have joy at that privilege.  The joy of worship here foreshadows the eternal gladness we will experience in the New Jerusalem.  We also need to remember to strive for unity, but never compromise what we know is taught in God’s Word.  And finally, we should always be interceding for God’s people and God’s City.