LIFTING OUR EYES

Today's reading: Psalm 122-124

"I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven." Psalm 123:1 NLT

This psalm is part of a collection of songs written for the Jewish pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. 

It's original purpose was to prepare each attender, heart and mind, on the privilege and worth of traveling to such an important place and standing as near to God as they could be.

It's quite possible this psalm was sung as the congregants walked solemnly and purposefully up each of the southern steps leading into the Temple grounds.

They literally had to look up, to gauge their next step, as each step varied in width and height.

In my mind's eye, I also believe they craned their necks to take in the enormity of the Temple itself.

For a people who lived in one, sometimes two, level homes of meager build, this massive structure must have awed them. The looming limestone walls. The gates. The cut stones possibly weighing between 2 and 5 tons each.

Have we lost that as we walk into our places of worship?

Whether your church house is a grand structure, a remodeled WalMart, a rented hotel ballroom or the living room of a dear believing family--is approaching where you meet with the Lord reminding you of the immensity of your task?

Is your travel to your house of worship preparatory for your praise?

Do you lift your eyes to take in the place God has provided you to meet with Him?

I challenge you, because I'm challenging myself, to make this week's trip to church more meaningful by remembering this verse.