My Home, God’s Home; Gods’ Home, My Home
Yesterday, we traveled to Lakewood to watch grandson Riley’s football game. In the evening, I attended a concert at my old high school, with a Country music group called, “New West.” The leader, Mike Flemming, is an Englewood High graduate. It was good to reconnect with my friend Stan Countryman and his wife Lynn who coordinated the event. Stan and I have been friends since elementary school.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “I will not go home; I will not let myself rest. I will not let my eyes sleep nor close my eyelids in slumber until I find a place to build a house for the Lord, a sanctuary for the Mighty One of Israel.” Psalm 132:3-5 NLT
The territorial capital of Colorado was in Golden. There were several cities that were considered before the decision was made that the capitol building would be located in Denver. As David was establishing his “home” and the city where his rule over a unified Israel would take place, he set his heart on Jerusalem. It became known as the “City of David.”
But the greater desire was for God’s Temple to be built in Jerusalem as the permanent resting place of the “Ark of the Covenant” the symbol of God’s presence and power.
Psalm 132 is the longest of the “Psalms of Ascent.” It is a reflection on David’s history and his desire to build the Temple. It would make sense that as generation after generation made the journey to Jerusalem, for the annual feasts, for there to be a reminder and reflection on “why here?” and “how did this all come to be?”
David after his years as a fugitive, running from Saul, made had two priorities. A place to located the Ark to rest and plans to build the Temple of the Lord.
When the Ark returned to Jerusalem, the heart desire of God’s people is reflected in the words, “Let us go to the sanctuary of the Lord; let us worship at the footstool of his throne. Arise, O Lord, and enter your resting place,
along with the Ark, the symbol of your power. May your priests be clothed in godliness; may your loyal servants sing for joy.” (Psalm 132:7-9 NLT)
While David was not allowed to build the Temple, the Lord gave him the promise, “I will place one of your descendants on your throne. If your descendants obey the terms of my covenant and the laws that I teach them,
then your royal line will continue forever and ever.” (Psalm 132:11,12 NLT)
This psalm makes it clear that David’s desire was the Lord’s desire: “For the Lord has chosen Jerusalem[ he has desired it for his home. “This is my resting place forever,” he said. “I will live here, for this is the home I desired. I will bless this city and make it prosperous…Here I will increase the power of David; my anointed one will be a light for my people.“ (Psalm 132:13-15,17 NLT)
As we look into the Gospels we see a reversal take place. We see Jesus promising a “home” a “resting place” for His disciples, “…I go to prepare a place for you….that where I am you may be also…” (John 14:1,2) Just as David was “the Lord’s anointed” and a “light” for God’s people, we read of the New Jerusalem from heaven, “…the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.” (Revelation 21:23 NLT)
Prayer for today… Lord, thank You for the promise of being with You, worshiping at Your footstool. May we focus on and anticipate the fulfillment of Your promise of a home You have promised for us.