Daily Devotion in Psalm 132

 

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

One should not 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 stir Christians today. We may not always get our desires, as David experienced when his son, Solomon, got the honor of building the place of worship. Still, we should long to do mighty things for the Lord.

Today, too many can barely muster the desire to be faithful to church and Bible reading. Few surrender life’s comforts to advance the cause of Christ. Rarer are those that will give their all so that others can be saved and experience the goodness of God. 

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

To turn more to Christ, more like David with his great zeal to accomplish much for the Lord is necessary. More praying fervency, like that of the 19th-century Pastor Edward Payson, is needed. That preacher prayed so long and hard that the hardwood planks where he knelt in prayer were worn. That kind of determination and desire would accomplish much today.

More missionaries who will brave the most uncomfortable conditions, learn difficult dialects, and risk their livers to deliver faraway people with the soul-saving Gospel would make significant strides for the cause of Christ. 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. More need to bravely stand up for righteousness. Great warriors for the cause of Christ and lovers of our Saviour can be society’s great help!

This world is in desperate need of revival. It will only happen if believers let 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.