Reading
SAA Notes
These are songs sung as a pilgrim climbed up the road to Jerusalem. Psalm 121 has long been loved as a parting song or poem when family and friends leave for distant parts – The Travellers Psalm. Psalm 122 reminds us that prayer follows worship, as hand follows heart. The answer to prayerlessness lies in worship!
SJA Notes
* Lord God, we lift up our eyes to You, You who are enthroned in the heavens!
“He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.”
These “ascents” psalms were sung by pilgrims climbing the road to Jerusalem.
As God’s people walked upwards to the earthly city of God, Jerusalem Below, they brought these prayers before Him.
How much then this is for us, a reflection, a patter that we are to follow every day!
Because we – pilgrims in this life, sojourners in this place – are walking a narrow road toward the gates of glory, toward the promise of God’s city, the New City, Jerusalem Above. We walk towards a new heavens and a new earth, where God will dwell with us – Him our God, we His people.
These are prayers for us. Each day.
Bring to the Lord our troubles with people, those who bring us violence and harm, ridicule and derision.
Bring to the Lord our clinging words of hope in Him. Keep talking to Him of the hope He gives, the promises He makes (He is not weakened by us doing this).
Bring to the Lord our petitions and requests, for His mercy (not getting what we do deserve) and His grace (getting what we do not deserve).
And bring to the Lord praise, over and again, for His word! That He has given it to us, that He writes it on our hearts, that His word become flesh came to earth and died for us His people.
Hallelujah!
* Lord God Above,
Please watch over our steps today.
Thank You for the hope of glory we have in You. Life, eternal life, to the full!
Amen.