Slices
Prepare
Meditate on these words of Paul: ‘I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith’ (Ephesians 3:16,17).
Bible passage
A song of ascents.
1 Lord, remember David
and all his self-denial.
2 He swore an oath to the Lord,
he made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:
3 ‘I will not enter my house
or go to my bed,
4 I will allow no sleep to my eyes
or slumber to my eyelids,
5 till I find a place for the Lord,
a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.’
6 We heard it in Ephrathah,
we came upon it in the fields of Jaar:
7 ‘Let us go to his dwelling-place,
let us worship at his footstool, saying,
8 “Arise, Lord, and come to your resting place,
you and the ark of your might.
9 May your priests be clothed with your righteousness;
may your faithful people sing for joy.”’
10 For the sake of your servant David,
do not reject your anointed one.
11 The Lord swore an oath to David,
a sure oath he will not revoke:
‘One of your own descendants
I will place on your throne.
12 If your sons keep my covenant
and the statutes I teach them,
then their sons shall sit
on your throne for ever and ever.’
13 For the Lord has chosen Zion,
he has desired it for his dwelling, saying,
14 ‘This is my resting place for ever and ever;
here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it.
15 I will bless her with abundant provisions;
her poor I will satisfy with food.
16 I will clothe her priests with salvation,
and her faithful people shall ever sing for joy.
17 ‘Here I will make a horn grow for David
and set up a lamp for my anointed one.
18 I will clothe his enemies with shame,
but his head shall be adorned with a radiant crown.’
Explore
2 Samuel 6 and 7 give the context for this psalm. King David occupies a palace in his new capital, Jerusalem, but the Ark of the Lord is in a temporary tent, as it had been in the tabernacle throughout the wilderness wanderings. He brings it in procession into the city but is not allowed to build a permanent home for it. That task would be completed by his son Solomon.
This psalm was traditionally sung by pilgrims to Jerusalem to celebrate festivals. As they ascended the hill they remembered David’s wish to see the Lord at home in Jerusalem. Mount Zion (v 13) is one of the hills on which Jerusalem is built and came to be used as a synonym for the city.
David could not rest until he found a way for the Ark, the visible symbol of God’s presence, to be at home in his city. We have an even greater privilege; by his Spirit he lives in each one of his children.
There is no longer a splendid temple in Jerusalem, where people can go to meet with God, but Christ has made a way for us to enter the presence of God in the heavenly tabernacle (Hebrews 10:19–22). Let us not neglect the opportunity to meet with him.
Respond
Is the Lord welcome in every area of your life?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Judges 9,10; Proverbs 5,6
Pray for Scripture Union
Join SU Sierra Leone in giving thanks for the rapid spread of the ministry into all 16 districts of the country, particularly in predominantly Islamic communities, leading to transformation of children in these areas. Please pray for ten motorcycles, to give easier access to those hard-to-reach terrains.
