January 01st, 2024

God Promises Peace in Unity
 
Psalms 122:6-9 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure. 7 May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” 8 For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.”  9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity.
 
DAVID wrote this song of ascents – going up to worship – to remind Israel v 4 that is where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, to praise the name of the LORD, according to the statute given to Israel. With the first of his laws, the LORD God had commanded his people to worship him and him alone. Then Exodus tells us God gave the worship laws that included gathering at the Tent of Meeting. The gathering under God’s authority was crucial for the vast nation’s unity.
   In the centuries between Moses and David, Israel had suffered much division. They had put aside their worship of the LORD. The 12 tribes were often hostile toward each other when idolatry created a deep divide in Israel’s unity. There was seldom true peace in Israel.
   But through faithful Jews, the Tent of Meeting and the sacred elements of worship including the ark of the covenant remained. When David conquered Jerusalem and established Israel’s throne there, God instructed David to take the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem and put it in a tent. (2 Samuel 6) Jerusalem, a small and compact city, became Israel’s worship center. This fulfilled God’s prophetic command in Deuteronomy 12:5 But you are to seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go. David calls his fellow citizens to come up to Jerusalem, the place God has established for the unity of their worship. Israel’s prosperity would be a richness in their relationship with God.
   But too many divisions remained in Israel. Some kings refused to worship God. The LORD’s word became silent in his city. And there was no peace.
   The church has not learned this lesson. Since its beginning, factions have divided the church’s message. We must understand that as the gospel moves throughout the entire world, mankind has the opportunity to focus our worship on the One who has Created us. And he is the One who Redeems the repentant sinner. With a faithful response to God, the local church is to worship in spiritual unity: Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – 5 one LORD, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
   The peace of unity will come when God’s people go in faith to the LORD’s house with a heart of worship. Where there is true worship, there is true peace between people of different tribes, nations and tongues.
     This is the future God has prepared for us. May he come quickly. In the meantime, be a person of peace. Let the peace of Jesus Christ rule your heart, so you and your future generations will have a true wealth in the LORD’s love.