Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
Psalm 120-121
An incomparable blessing awaits God’s people whenever they come to God’s house to hear God’s Word. True spiritual growth necessitates that believers regularly attend the gathering of worshippers and sit under the Bible being accurately and appropriately taught. Wherever the Word of God is proclaimed, the glory of God is manifested, and the grace of God is magnified in the hearts of the saints. Whatever the distance a person must travel to receive the Word, the effort is always eternally rewarding. Singing praises to God with other like-minded believers makes the journey worth the while. Nothing is more important to one’s spiritual life than hearing and living God’s Word.
Psalm 120 underscores this basic truth. As the first of fifteen consecutive psalms known as the Ascent Psalms, this hymn was sung by believers as they traveled together to God’s house in Jerusalem to worship God. These ascent psalms were used by worshippers as they traveled from all over Judea to make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem three times a year for their annual feasts (Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles).
As we learned in Israel, these songs were labeled ascent psalms because those traveling to Jerusalem would ascend upward in topographical elevation. Jerusalem was built on Mount Zion, 2,700 feet high, requiring an upward climb for travelers. These pilgrim worshipers journeyed to the holy city from as far away as Meschech to the north and Kedar to the south. As they did, they sang these psalms until they finally reached the temple. These worshippers lived under verbal attack from unbelievers at home. With great anticipation, they traveled with other fellow believers for these regular times in God’s house.
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to love your word more each day.
- Lord, please help me to motivate the people around me and the people I serve to grow to a greater understanding of your worth.
- Lord, please help me to lead my family to obey your word, through their dedication to your church and the preaching of your word.
Political
- Representative Sarah Anthony – District 68 – Lansing
- Senator Tom Barrett – District 24 – Pottersville
- Senator Rosemary Bayer – District 12 – Leonard