Rejoicing with others in our pilgrimage - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Psalm 122:1-2,

"I rejoiced with those who said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.' Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem."

Psalm 122 is one of a series of "songs of ascents". It is thought these psalms may have been sung by groups of those returning to Jerusalem for the various events on the Hebrew calendar that required their presence. The ascent would be the height in elevation Jerusalem has in the region that these travelers would have to make. Of course, from a spiritual standpoint, any place where people might go to meet with God would be considered an "ascent".

For me, the specter of people making an ascent, as part of their pilgrimage to fulfill their appointment with God, a pilgrimage that is made of groups of fellow-travelers singing together as they make their way speaks in a figurative way of the fellowship we believers have as we make our way through this life heavenward. As fellow travelers, we share in a unique and exciting destiny that awaits our arrival in the Lord's presence. Just as the pilgrims made their way to Jerusalem to make their appointment with God, so we also are pilgrims here, on our way, in the fellowship of others to make our appointment with the Lord. The common destination we share, the common bond we have, the uncommon excitement we all share in, are captured in this verse, "I rejoiced with those who said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.'" Of course, the excitement and joy will be greatest as we stand on the very threshold of God's court in heaven itself as we bring to a close the arduous journey it took for us to get there: we are now here! "Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem."

I can't help but think that these on their journey to meet with the Lord, who faced dangers on the way from bandits, wild animals, injuries, illness and foes from other lands also encountered wonderful things on their way as well. Groups of fellow travelers on the same journey, folks who cheered them on their way, wondrous things they had never seen before, possibly the Lord's aid in one fashion or another all speak to what we encounter on our journey as well.

Like David, I also rejoice with others on pilgrimage to the house of the Lord! While in a different context than those who originally sang David's song, I can sing with others today who are on the same pilgrimage and share in the joy and anticipation we have together in our arrival before our loving Lord!

How about you?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com