An important part of the religious life of Old Testament Israelites was the regular pilgrimages to Jerusalem (from the time of David. Before this, it was to Shiloh) to celebrate the various feasts. Psalm 122 envisions Jerusalem as the place of worship and celebration. However, this was impossible in times of war when foreign invaders threatened. The psalmist, therefore, prays for peace so that they can worship God unmolested by external opposition. We have the privilege and opportunity of worshipping God in peace and security, but this is not the case in many parts of the world. Since the earliest times, Christians have often paid a high price for their insistence on worshipping God together. Had they just adopted a ‘private faith’ (this is an oxymoron), they would not have drawn such trouble on themselves. But such was the significance they ascribed to corporate worship that they were willing to risk so much to pursue this. Throughout the Mosaic law, there are prescribed practices designed to remind the Israelites of their corporate identity and shared life. The call to come and regularly worship together was part of this, and Psalm 122 is an expression of this value. We tend to value things more when they cost us something. We have peace and security to gather together for worship, but we are sadly prone to treat this opportunity with indifference. There is a lot to gain from corporate worship, particularly if you are naturally disinclined to it. The less you feel like it, the more you need it.
Ask God to build your appreciation of corporate worship and make an extra effort to engage this Sunday.
Read Psalm 122.
