Friend!
The Songs of Ascents. (Psalms 120-134)
What was a song of ascents?
During the great feasts of Israel’s both Jews and converts came to the city of David from all over the world. Psalm 126 is one of these celebrating “songs” reflecting the heart of what was often a once in a lifetime pilgrimage. Thousands would ascend the temple mount (often at dusk and/or dark with torches) singing these songs of honor to the Living God. They would bring their offerings and sing their hearts out to their King. Because the Temple stood on a hill in the city it could literally be seen for miles – wow! Imagine the heart spectacle.
Psalm 126
“When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongues with joyful shouts! Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” The LORD has done great things for us. We are glad!
Restore us from our captivity, O LORD, as the streams that flow in the South. Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes back and forth weeping, carrying and spreading his bag of seed, shall indeed return with a shout of joy, bringing his harvest with him.”
This is the promise to the captive ones – those who have suffered in this world and have chosen to place ourselves in the hand of the King of heaven: “A shout of joy and a great life harvest!”
THE KINGDOM – MATTHEW 13:36
(Jesus is alone with His own – where the weeds were indistinguishable from the wheat crop)
“When He left the crowds and went into the house His disciples came to Him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” And He said, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the weeds are the sons of the evil one; and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. So just as the weeds are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will throw them into the furnace of fire. In that place there will be weeping and painful gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine out as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come out from God’s throne and take out the wicked from among the righteous, and will throw them into the furnace of fire – in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes.” And Jesus said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”
Dear Lord Jesus, we come to you to be restored in You, to receive all the grace and mercy we so desperately need this day. You are our Great I Am/God-of-the angel-armies. We surrender every aspect of our lives and selves completely to You. We offer You our spirits, souls and bodies, our hearts, minds, consciences, and our will. We stand in grace completely covered with Your precious, redeeming blood. As we pray we ask Your Good Spirit to restore and renew us in You. We stand in absolute agreement with Your Spirit and our intercessors and allies. In Jesus Name.
Song: Dave & Burney Live/Psalm 126
What a privilege to be a “scribe” of the Kingdom!
Dave and Burnadette
More Connectors:
Prophets & Captivity
Over Our Heads