by Teaching Pastor Eric Thompson
I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD!"
Psalm 122:1
Psalms 120-134 are a collection of songs that were most likely sung by the people of God as they would make their way to the tabernacle to appear before God. Three times per year they were to do this (see Exodus 23:14-17; 34:23-24). Mary and Joseph were making this trek with the young Jesus in the story Luke tells of him confounding the scribes and lawyers in Luke 2.
Imagine the anticipation as they made their way toward the place of God's presence! This was a special time. Israel enjoyed a great privilege--the Creator had chosen them to bless with his presence. The entire biblical narrative is a story of God restoring his presence with men.
First, he began to appear and make himself known to the patriarchs.
Then he filled the tabernacle with the glory of his presence (Exodus 40:34-38).
Generations later the tabernacle gave way to Solomon's Temple.
With the birth of Jesus, the presence came even closer, as "the Word became flesh, and dwelled among us" (John 1:14).
At Pentecost the Spirit came and began to dwell in believers!
Finally, Revelation 21 tells us of a time when the New Jerusalem will come down from heaven, and the presence of God with the whole of humanity will be finally, eternally restored.
Though we do not yet enjoy the type of presence that is coming, we have one much better than the ancients enjoyed. The ability to commune daily with God because of his presence in us is much better than three times per year! When we see this great privilege that we enjoy it shows that even though the march of God's plan moves slowly in our experience, it is moving ahead. We have a great gift with an even greater yet to come.
Take some time to consider the following questions. Perhaps it would be helpful to record your responses in a journal.
How do you experience the presence of God now? What things come to mind as you anticipate the opportunity to go and be in the presence of Jesus? How do you respond to the realization that God has gone to such great lengths to redeem and restore sinners like us?
Here is a prayer in response to today's text. You can pray this as your own or use it as a prompt for a spontaneous prayer.
Our loving Father: In the pages of the Bible we see time and again the ways in which you overcame our sin, our rebellion, our weakness, and our ignorance, showing yourself in ever greater and more powerful ways. We know you because of what you have done to bring us to yourself.
Thank you for establishing your presence in me! Thank you for putting your church in this world--a community filled with your Spirit where people can come to experience your presence. We pray that you will continually shape us into your image in order that your glory might be known and others will know the joy of coming into your presence. By the name of Jesus, Immanuel who made it so, Amen.
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