“Psalms of Ascent Series”, Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 143, Psalm 122v5
You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134).
They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst.
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11)
Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy.
“thrones for judgment. As the highest judicial authority in the land, the king periodically held audience to hear cases that were being appealed. A throne was set up precisely for this purpose, either in an audience hall in the palace complex or at the main gate of the city. In the excavations at Dan just such an area has been uncovered at the entrance to the gate, where the king would have sat on a canopied throne in order to pass judgment”
Walton, John H., Victor H. Matthews, and Mark W. Chavalas. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament. Accordance electronic edition, version 1.1. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2000.
In the place of worship we also find the thrones of judgment – “the decisive word by which God straightens things out and puts things right.” Peterson, Obedience, 54.
We live with reverence before God, 1 Pet 1.17, and we know that Jesus will bring justice, Acts 17:31. But we do not live with fear of judgment in the way the hard hearted Felix did, Act 24.25. This is judgement that sets right things in motion, not just pronounces fact. In the act of worship through corporate prayer, songs and scripture we hear God’s Word putting things right, setting us back on the right path, propelling us towards love and good deeds. Worship centres us on God’s word.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
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“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)
God bless, Malcolm
PS: You might also be interested in my book: “An elephant’s swimming pool”, a devotional look at the Gospel of John
