Anticipated celebration! - 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."

As one of the "songs of ascents", this psalm of David is thought to have been sung by those returning to Jerusalem to celebrate one of the annual feasts on the nation's calendar there. To participate in the feast, they would have to make the trek up to Jerusalem. It is not difficult to sense the excitement and anticipation of these worshipers.

As I read the psalm, I can't help but think of the first time when we gather together in God's kingdom to celebrate his love, kindness and mercy. There will be that very first gathering where we meet to worship God the Father, and his Son, Jesus Christ, to celebrate the salvation and eternal life he has provided us. We will make the trek to God's throne to acknowledge his wonderful love for us.

I suspect we will both celebrate, in a boisterous joy, over the eternal life he has made possible, and marvel in wonder at God's many-splendored and intoxicating perfections as we see him face to face for the first time. I suspect we will express euphoric appreciation and acknowledgement to God the Son, Jesus Christ, for coming to earth to die a horrible death to pay the penalty for all our sins and for making of himself our way to heaven.

Perhaps I am engaging in a bit of speculation here, but it does seem to me there will be that first time we approach God on his throne. In the anticipation of that very first encounter, will we be like those who were anticipating the national celebration and worship of God, those who sang this song of ascent on their way up to Jerusalem millenia ago? Might those treks, accompanied by worshipful songs of ascent, have been a small precursor, illustrating a much grander event when we present ourselves before our transcendent, majestic God for the first time in eternity?

What do you think might be on our calendar of events as we enter into our eternal estate at the end of the age?

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!

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Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com