Songs of Ascent: Preparation

Over the next few weeks we will be looking at the Psalms of Ascent, a group of 15 Psalms song as the Hebrew people would journey to Jerusalem for festivals. This pilgrimage was be more than a vacation, it was a spiritual journey that encouraged closeness with their God.

“Topographically Jerusalem was the highest city in Ancient Israel, and so all who traveled there spent much of their time ascending. But the ascent was not only literal, it was also a metaphor: the trip to Jerusalem acted out a life lived upward toward God, an existence that advanced from one level to another in developing maturity—what Paul described as “the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus” (Phil 3:14).” From Eugene Peterson’s “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction.”

The Jewish people were outside of their home land, away from their city and longing to be gathered together in solidarity to worship the One true God. The metaphorical aspect of these psalms can also apply to us today in our as we follow the “stay home” orders. I think the first three Psalms of Ascent, 120-122, speak to where we are at and call us to persevere in faith and grow in our awareness of our need for God.

Leaving the Wanting Land – Psalm 120

“Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace” (v 6).

The first Psalm of Ascent is a song about the recognition of being in a place far from God, a land that left the wanting something more. In this far off country, they realized they wanted to leave behind the cares of this world, the deception of the enemy and to find SHALOM, peace with God.

How is our current situation like the Wanting Land?

As we are homebound, what leaves us wanting? Certainly the coronavirus and the fears that come with this new reality we find ourselves in. I pray that God allows this circumstance to bring a recognition to you and me of our desperate need for God and reveal our need to let go of our dependence on the cares of this world. Our pursuits should be shalom, peace with God and harmony with others.

This is what Jesus said He came to give us,

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).

When we compare this world to Jesus, we will see that the world is a wanting land where are needs can never be met, but in Jesus we will find the satisfaction of our deepest needs.

Promises for the Journey – Psalm 121

“From where does my help come?” (v 1)

Jerusalem was a city on the highest mountain in the area and the people would travel up to Jerusalem. The people would have a long and difficult journey ahead of them, a potentially dangerous journey. This song was a reminder to them of God’s faithfulness and loving kindness toward them. He is their protection and their sustainer. They can trust in Him.

Wow do we need this message right now, our God keeps watch over us and protects us! He doesn’t sleep or slumber, which means nothing catches Him off guard. As we scramble to understand this pandemic and the right protocols to follow, as we struggle to practice physical distancing and experience the changes to our everyday life, as we wait for the latest update each day to find out what’s going to change next, God is saying, “I got this! I got your back! I know what’s happening and I will be with you through it all.”

Psalm 121:7–8

The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

As the Jewish people left the wanting land, recognizing the emptiness and deception of the enemy, they marched forward holding fast to the promises of the One true God, their keeper and protector. We too must recognize the wanting land we are in and turn our eyes to Jesus, trusting He will lead us, protect us, keep us and guide us.

Hebrews 12:2

“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

The Hopeful Destination – Psalm 122

“Let us go to the house of the Lord!” (v 1)

Leaving the wanting land of deception to pursue peace, trusting in God as their protector and His promises for each day, this song reminds them of the destination they longed to arrive at: Jerusalem, the city of Peace.

They sang about the strength and beauty of the city where God’s house was established. The city that God chose to be “where heaven and earth meet and where the tribes are together as one – “the city of peace.”” Looking to their destination gave them hope, not wishful thinking, but a confident expectation that when they arrive they would celebrate in the house of the Lord.

As we are separated from each other and not gathering together as the church, or in youth group, we should look forward to getting back together again in the future. There is something divine and mysterious about the gathering of the believers in the local church. It is where we come together to worship, but also experience true fellowship of the faith. Although we are supplementing our absence with online connection, nothing can replace the significance of being together. I so miss our times together and look forward to being together again.

But also, we should have a heavenly mindset, that this world is not our home and that we have heaven to look forward to, where we will see Jesus face to face. In that day, there will be no more sorrow, no more separation, no more coronavirus, instead there will be true peace and harmony, joy and laughter, and being in the presence of God.

Hebrews 11:16

But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

In this time of preparation, as we begin the Songs of Ascent, let us look toward the better country, to the heavenly city, where we will be united with Jesus. All those who are in Christ, those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died and rose again, and believe that He alone is the way to salvation, have the hope of the New Jerusalem.