Anticipation

Background to passage: These psalms of ascents, beginning in 120, describe the travel to Jerusalem for worship and celebration with the entire nation of Israel. In some sense they can be progressive as initially it seems that the writer was just beginning the journey. Last week we saw the travelers were nearing Jerusalem, but had a ways to go yet, and the Lord was their keeper. Today they stand in the middle of or just inside the gates in wonder and anticipation of worship with the rest of their brothers and sisters in the faith.

Psalm 122 ESV

A Song of Ascents. Of David. 1 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” 2 Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem! 3 Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together, 4 to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. 5 There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you! 7 Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!” 8 For my brothers and companions’ sake I will say, “Peace be within you!” 9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.

Opening illustration: In the movie Gladiator, the band of gladiators including Maximus who had never fought anywhere but out in the far reaches of the empire, came into Rome for the first time, they couldn’t believe it. They looked at the colosseum and exclaimed, “I didn’t know men could build such things.”

Main thought: So this morning we are going to all imagine ourselves having just inside the doors Western Heights on a Sunday morning. What thoughts and emotions do you have. Maybe the night before you began those preparations or emotions.

1) Anticipation of Unity in Worship (v. 3-5)

Psalm 122:3–5 ESV

3 Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together, 4 to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. 5 There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David.

1) Anticipation of Unity in Worship (v. 3-5)

Explanation: The nation of Israel as it stands now is about the size of the state of New Jersey or Massachusetts. It was almost twice the size in the day of David. However, there was much variation in the different areas. The Negev, down toward Egypt was very desert-like, as you and I might picture a middle-eastern desert. The lower Jordan River Valley is hot and dry with the exceptions of the river and surrounding springs. The Judean Wilderness is rocky desert with nothing out there. The region around Galilee is very fertile. At the far north Mt. Hermon sits over 7000 feet in elevation. The coastal regions varied, but are much as the southern Mediterranean coast is beautiful.

The tribes had different areas, but each had varying social strata. Just like us, there were various backgrounds, life experiences, lifestyle choices, vocations, and physical limitations. By and large they shared an ethnic background, but the main thing they shared was their God. The One True God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, the Savior and Protector of Israel.

Ephesians 4:5 ESV

5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Acts 2:44–47 ESV

44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Illustration: even when I go to Neyland Stadium, there is always fans from the other team around (I mean with 108,000 people your going to have some who are deceived)

Application: With the exception of the ethnic background, we have many of the same differences among us. Just like the people of Israel, you and I walk through the door with the most important thing in common - Jesus Christ and his salvation. It is what binds us together. We have so many preferences that get in the way. Music, temperature, furniture, lighting, sound, preaching, weather, and we forget the most important thing.

We should be excited about the unity that we have in Christ. We gather together on the Lord’s Day to worship the One True and Living God. It’s partially that we set some differences aside, and partially that we embrace the beautiful diversity of the body of Christ. Rather than looking simply around your pew each week (that you should do), look around the entire room when you step into the sanctuary. Anticipate worship because this is the one place we gather with multitudes of people and we fix our eyes on the most important and valuable treasure of all time and forevermore. This is the corporate or family nature of the church.

2) Anticipation of Peace in Worship (v. 6-9)

Psalm 122:6–9 ESV

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you! 7 Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!” 8 For my brothers and companions’ sake I will say, “Peace be within you!” 9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.

2) Anticipation of Peace in Worship (v. 6-9)

Explanation: Of course we know Jerusalem has been a place that has lacked a lot of peace down through the years. However, with the national celebration and the focus on God, the psalmist looks for the enjoyment of peace. The peace is that of the soul. For the Jews, Jerusalem was the center of the presence of God. It was a place of safety and security. To pray for the peace of Jerusalem included its well-being, its prosperity, and stability.

Isaiah 26:3 ESV

3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

John 14:27 ESV

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Philippians 4:6–7 ESV

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Illustration: think about soldiers coming home from a long deployment and each leg of their journey gets them closer to the place they feel belonging. Home means reunion, safety, security, family, friends, and what’s familiar again. The peace they would feel as they got closer and saw familiar landmarks would increase. However, it wasn’t just the place that brought peace, it was the presence of those they love. For the travelers, it wasn’t just standing inside the gates, but standing in the presence of God that they longed for.

Application: So what is it that you anticipate when you walk in the doors of Western Heights? Do you expect prayer? Do you anticipate joining in with prayer? Do you expect to find peace for your soul? Regardless of what’s in your life when your enter the doors, do you expect to find peace. If not you may be coming to church for the wrong reasons, because the worship of God will allow you see His attributes that bring about peace.

Closing illustration: Again in my movie Gladiator. Maximus lay dying on the ground of the Colosseum, and in his mind he saw his Spanish villa that was his home in the afterlife. He also saw his wife and son who had been murdered, but they were smiling in the afterlife, welcoming him. Lucilla held him as he passed giving him permission not to go home, but “go to them.”

The travelers wanted to be with the other Israelites. They wanted to be in the city of Jerusalem. However, the true source of their anticipation was the worship of Almighty God and the unity and peace it brought.

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