Daily Devotion of Psalm 132

Daily Nugget:
Psalm 132, possibly sung after the pilgrims arrived at the Temple, reminded Israel of King David's overwhelming desire (II Samuel 7) to build a permanent place to worship the Lord. David took worshiping of the Lord very seriously.

Not that one should desire to build a Temple today as did the king, but the seriousness in wanting to do one’s best for the Lord should still be stirring Christians today. We may not always get our desires, as David experienced when his son, Solomon, got the honor to build the place of worship, but we should long to do mighty things for the Lord.

Today, too many can barely muster the desire to be faithful in going to church and Bible reading, let alone being determined to surrender life’s comforts to advance the cause of Christ. Rare are those that are willing to give their all so that others can have an opportunity to be saved and experience the goodness of God.

This world needs more that has prioritized the things of God in their lives so that others are reached. Obeying God’s will and way are the only hope this world has to pull it out of its downward, destructive spiral.

To turn more in this world to Christ, we need more like David with his great zeal to accomplish much for the Lord. More praying fervency, like that of the 19th-century Pastor Edward Payson, who prayed so long and hard that the hardwood planks where he knelt in prayer were worn down, would accomplish much today.

More missionaries who will brave the most uncomfortable conditions, learn difficult dialects, and risk their livers to reach faraway people with the soul-saving Gospel would make important strides for the cause of Christ. Compassion and concern for neighbors and family should compel more soul-winners to reach those perishing all around them. Fear of being ridiculed by the ungodly needs to be discarded to bravely stand up for what is right. Great warriors for the cause of Christ and lovers of our Saviour are our only hope!

This world is in need of great revival. It will only happen if each believer lets it begin with themselves. Each of us can make a considerable difference in this lost, confused world if believers have an urgent desire to do great things for God.

Today’s Thought: 
“Whether zeal or moderation be the point we aim at, let us keep the fire in the one and frost out of the other.” — Addison

Words to Understand:
Afflictions: sufferings
Covenant: promise; commitment
Flourish: prosper
Sware: promised
Tabernacle: the portable tent was the place of worship for the Jews after they left Egypt
Vowed: promised; committed

Today’s Reading:
Psalm 132
1 A Song of degrees. LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions:
2 How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;
3 Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;
4 I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids,
5 Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.
6 Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.
7 We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.
8 Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.
9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.
10 For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.
11 The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
12 If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.
13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.
14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
17 There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.
18 His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.