Wednesday 27 May, 2015

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 will 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 will ever sing for joy. 17 “Here I will make a horn[b] grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one. 18 I will clothe his enemies with shame, but his head will be adorned with a radiant crown.”

This is described as a song of ‘ascents’, sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem; or an ‘ascent’, which begins humbly with reminding God of David’s desire to build a temple for the Lord and rises to the pinnacle of Gods glorious goodness resting among His chosen people in Jerusalem.

The pilgrims are asking for God’s blessings, the way they do this is to remind God of their forefather David, and the covenant He made with him because of his faithfulness. God promised David that one of his descendants would sit on his throne forever. They are essentially saying ‘do this for us Lord for David’s sake’
In parallel is the story of Jesus, the anointed son of David, God’s new covenant with His people. We pray in Jesus’ name, as they prayed in David’s. Just as Jerusalem was the dwelling place of God for the Jews, the ‘church’- the people of God, are now indwelled by the Holy Spirit.

I am reminded that as a believer in Jesus, I am chosen and desired v13, that God ‘rests’ or remains with me v14; I am blessed with all my physical needs, with joy, and with salvation vv15-16. Through Jesus, the ‘horn of David’, I have entered into the covenant of salvation through faith. And so I pray ‘in Jesus’ name’.

Dear Lord help me to live a life which honours you, as your spirit lives in me. Thank you for your closeness and your love and blessings. Thank you for being a God who keeps His promises. Amen

Written by Dimity Milne