I rejoiced when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” Psalms 122:1 NABRE
This is a psalm of pilgrimage, singing and rejoicing on the journey to Jerusalem and the Holy Temple. It is a place different from any other place because it brings peace and joy for the pilgrim. Every pilgrim experienced a personal encounter with God. This encounter was individual and reveals each and every person’s own soul to themselves. That there were crowds converging on the city during times of solemn festivals and feast made the experience all the more significant. Though there were many, each experienced the temple individually, with grace from God. While the journeys were individual the coming together informed the pilgrim of the diverse and wonderful fraternity, the unity they could experience in Jerusalem, despite the uniqueness of individuals. The peace they felt individually came through in their unity.
Jerusalem has seen two temples and today there is nothing left but some remnants of the temple, a temple the people longed to see built, almost hoping for the death of King David so that its construction could begin. Some would say this psalm speaks about the third temple and the future city; “I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:2) This is the city of Jesus, one where He sits on a throne at the right hand of God. It will be seen in all its splendor, a perfectly built city, adorned with beauty. A place of peace and unity, of love and joy. A city of God, where all live eternally, with God within their reach. We should rejoice as we go to this new house of the Lord!
Have you ever experienced pilgrimage? Are you able to rejoice as you visit the places of God’s presence?
The new Jerusalem, a place of peace and unity, of love and joy. A city of God, where all live eternally, with God within their reach. We should rejoice as we go to this new house of the Lord! Click To Tweet#bible’#godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #house #peace #Psalms #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray #prayer #goodnews #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways