Read this first: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+26&version=NIV
This is a psalm that makes sense best if Jesus is praying it, but even then there are some issues.
“I have led a blameless life, treat me with respect God” seems to be David’s cry. I don’t know if that is a great prayer. It sort of makes sense if Jesus is praying it in the garden of Gethsemane asking for the cup to be taken from him, but then he says I don’t sit with the deceitful nor the hypocrites. Jesus certainly did this.
I would disagree with this being a model for prayer- it may be an honest prayer, but it doesn’t seem like one best to repeat. However even if our prayers are wrong it’s good to know God still hears them. And even in this not the greatest prayer- there’s still a gem. Verses 8 and 12 stand out: Lord, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells. My feet stand on level ground; in the great congregation I will praise the Lord.
We want to be back in church with others praising God. Now in the old days this would have taken place in the tabernacle and the temple. But today there is something about meeting in a church that’s different than elsewhere. I haven’t had the most amazing worship experiences at church, it’s rare that God speaks to me directly during a service, part of it is I’m putting on the service. Mostly the church enables all of the other opportunities where God does show up. It all stems from the service itself and there’s something about singing and communion with others that I know is huge for others, but of which are missing now. Small group Bible study, service, and relationships is where I see God showing up to speak to me.
But I can tell you the idea of a full congregation singing in church sounds amazing and the idea that we’re longing for that is a good sign. And I wonder if that longing is something that should be with us for even more. The Jews long for a temple to be back to worship in again in Jerusalem. We long for worship with Jesus face to face like the disciples last had at the Lord’s supper. This longing is a good longing that will last beyond quarantine. I suppose in a sense this life is quarantine as we deal with the sickness not of covid but of sin. We’re waiting for something better and our sin holds us back from better relationships not only with God but with each other.
I long to speak with you in person. We long to see God in person. He longs to see us in person through Jesus too!
Marking It Up 