“In the same way the sun never grows weary of shining, nor a stream of flowing, it is God’s nature to keep His promises. Therefore, go immediately to His throne and say, ‘Do as You promised.’” ~ Charles Spurgeon
https://ebible.com/nkjv/psalms/122
Unlike most of the Psalms of Ascent, we know who wrote this one–David. He most likely wrote it as a song to be sung when members from every tribe made their way to Jerusalem for the annual feasts. Two things were highlighted to me as I read this Psalm. One, the position of their feet; and two, the idea that praying for the peace of Jerusalem produces prosperity.
Let’s start with feet. The ancient Israelites understood the need to take possession of the promises of God. When they were valiant and advancing toward the promises, they often found supernatural strength in order to take hold of their God ordained pursuits. When their hearts grew cold, they found themselves lackadaisical toward the ways of true justice and mercy. This would forfeit them the blessing that Father so readily desired to bestow. What does this have to do with feet? As they were positioning themselves to take the promised land after wandering in the wilderness, they were told, “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.” Joshua 1:3 (ESV).
What did Father promise Moses? “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours. Your territory shall be from the wilderness to the Lebanon and from the River, the river Euphrates, to the western sea.” Deuteronomy 11:24 (ESV).
In their mindset, where their feet were planted was significant. They needed to physically show up in order to receive the blessing. That blessing wasn’t ethereal in nature–it was real and tangible. And, it required their obedience to receive it.
“Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!” Psalm 122:2 (ESV). When they said these words, they were declaring their feet to be firmly established within the gates of Jerusalem in order to receive from God. In other words, they couldn’t do things according to their own design and expect to receive Father’s protection, provision, and blessing. They had to physically obey his instructions to journey to the city for the festivals. Their feet needed to cross the thresholds of the gates.
The second thing that stood out to me was the need to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. What did that mean exactly? It is human nature to gather with those who are like us and to alienate ourselves from those who are not. It would have been easy for the Israelites to splinter into their tribal families creating a sense of disharmony and suspicion among the Jewish people. And yet, they were to gather for the feast as one people unified in their worship of God. This would bring wellness and prosperity to the nation. “Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!” Psalm 122:7 (ESV). The Hebrew word used for security in this verse is shalvah. It is translated as prosperity and it literally means quietness or ease. It expresses the idea of an abundant way of life so as to be able to live securely.
Interestingly enough, Paul admonishes Christians in the same manner to pray for this sense of prosperity in our Christian expression. Romans 14 is Paul’s discourse addressing our propensity to splinter as a people. We get so caught up in our opinions that we often do not see how our actions cause others to stumble. He talks about personal convictions being necessary, but not a law to be enforced upon others. Obviously, there are black and white convictions inherent to our faith. But, we come from diverse backgrounds; and in our pursuits of holiness, if we are not careful, we bring division instead of maturity. “Therefore, let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hinderance in the way of a brother.” Romans 14:13 (ESV).
Paul goes on to say, “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then, let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” Romans 14:17-19 (ESV).
How do we do this? We collectively plant our feet together in the throne room of God through prayer. What is it that we need in this hour? We need heaven to invade earth. We need the abundant life and peaceful prosperity that only God can bring. So, let us go up to the heavenly city–the place where God dwells–and worship him in unified adoration. May we prayerfully enter into God’s presence through deep surrender and humility telling him that we will lay down our own agendas to pursue his heart and ways. And, that we will seek after righteousness and joy as we work together toward the tangible peace of the Kingdom.
Below is a video inviting you to attend our HOPE Meetings in August. You do not have to be a member of Freedom in order to attend. You are more than welcome to join us!
https://www.facebook.com/FreedomFellowshipIntl/videos/276877546949082
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