Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 122:1-9
Ps 122:1-9
1 I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD." 2 Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together. 4 That is where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, to praise the name of the LORD according to the statute given to Israel. 5 There the thrones for judgment stand, the thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure. 7 May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels." 8 For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, "Peace be within you." 9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity.
Heb 12:22-24
22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
From the time of David the city of Zion was just another name for Jerusalem, also called the city of God. This was the city that had become so great because it is where the God of Israel had his dwelling place and this is where he met with both the king and the High Priest. The very name of Zion became synonymous with the protection and blessings of God. It deserved respect and allegiance.
The city of Zion is used in the New Testament to refer to the people of God (the church, the kingdom of God, the family of God, etc.) and also to the eternal heavenly home. These two are not really that far apart when we understand the true nature of the church of God. It is not a physical building or place but is made up of the people of God, those who live for him. When we leave this world, these same saved people transition into that new home with God. So the church is the precursor, the same people with the same relationship to God as is heaven. So the new Zion deserves our prayers, our respect and our allegiance today.
Heavenly Father it is so wonderful to be in your family and to know you as my father. What a joy to be a part of your kingdom and to know Jesus as my king. It is such a blessing to know that your people, both individually and as a group, have your Spirit living in us today. Give me wisdom to use the abilities you have given me so that your name will be honored and good will be done. Increase my faith to do whatever you want me to do. Be with those who are sick, those who have lost loved ones, and those who are troubled. I humbly pray in Jesus name.
Robert
