Advent – God’s Presence
December 5-6
Advent – God’s Presence
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122:1
Psalm 122
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
2 And now here we are,
standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is a well-built city;
its seamless walls cannot be breached.
4 All the tribes of Israel—the Lord’s people—
make their pilgrimage here.
They come to give thanks to the name of the Lord,
as the law requires of Israel.
5 Here stand the thrones where judgment is given,
the thrones of the dynasty of David.
6 Pray for peace in Jerusalem.
May all who love this city prosper.
7 O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls
and prosperity in your palaces.
8 For the sake of my family and friends, I will say,
“May you have peace.”
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.
Psalm 122 is an invitation for us to look towards Jerusalem with the people of God, because the journey reflects our journey as followers of Jesus Christ. They were singing as they were gathered together to remind themselves of God’s presence throughout life. They sang of their protection. They sang of God’s goodness. They sang of God’s love. They reminded themselves of the bigger story that they were found in.
Advent is the season of waiting for Christ to come, a time to remember how very good it is to go to God and be in His presence. For we remember that God does not stand far off, does not ignore suffering and sin, but God enters in. God took on human flesh, felt hunger and thirst and pain. Our Lord Jesus Christ defeated sin and death. So we await Christ’s coming again. And we pray for peace while believing in the one who was and is and is to come, our Prince of Peace.