“I was glad when they said to me,
‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’
Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem—built as a city
that is bound firmly together,
to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for[a] Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
‘May they be secure who love you!
Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!’
For my brothers and companions’ sake
I will say, ‘Peace be within you!’
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.” Psalm 122:1-9
“To you I lift up my eyes,
O you who are enthroned in the heavens!
Behold, as the eyes of servants
look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maidservant
to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God,
till he has mercy upon us.
Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us.” Psalm 123:1-3a
“Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle!
Lift up your heads, O gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.” Psalm 24:7-9
The psalmist, eager to worship, knows the value of place. The yearning for communion with God prompts desire for a sanctuary of peace, where remembrance, thanksgiving, and fellowship flow. Worship itself instigates longing for God’s order, blessing, protection, and favor. His heavenly city. Going and gathering to the Lord is powerful. (Hebrews 11:10; 13:14; Revelation 21:2-7)
Wherever we’ve been planted, we’re called to meet with God and pray for the good of that city. Passing from pressing demands through gates of His access to supernatural splendor sets afresh our passion, which fuels pursuit. All for Christ’s sake, do we live and breathe?
What do we care for our city gates, for those who enter, perform industry, develop culture, share our space? All for Christ’s sake, how do we love His people and places? What measures do we implement to have godly effect? Seek His unity of purpose and perfect will? Seek His favor and how we can contribute to it? Put on and practice love for those we live beside, dwellers all in time and space and lost apart from God’s grace? Pray earnestly for those who lead, those with whom we disagree, and ourselves to think rightly and be full of grace? (Matthew 5:43-48; Romans 12:1-2; 13:1-3; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; Titus 2:7-8)
How might our communities be different- more hopeful, fruitful, peaceful- if we committed to standing at their gates as a guard and host of all that is good, all that exalts God’s glory? Whom and what will we usher toward the presence of the King?
Lord, keep me glad to attend to and enter through Your gates, welcoming others to Your presence and You to reign.
As the rain and snow 