Psalm 122 "Anticipation"

Anticipation

Anticipation is considered an emotion that can show itself as either excitement or anxiety toward an expected event. The Psalms of Ascent began with finding the motivation to go up to God's house, then the traveler turned his fears over to God, now David's anticipation toward going up to God's house is revealed through the excitement portrayed in Psalm 122.

David's attitude toward going to church was one of joy and excitement. (vs1-2) It may be a good time to evaluate our own attitude toward church attendance. Is going to church something we anticipate with eagerness or is it something we just do mechanically without any typ
e of expectancy? David looked forward to going to church for several reasons.

Compared to some of our cities Jerusalem was and is a small city. (vs3) The first reason for enthusiasm about going to Jerusalem was the unity he encountered and the focus he regained in God's house. (Eph. 4:3-6,16) When we come together in god's house, not only are we in one place  physically, but we are one in our love and desire towards God. It is only through this unifying love that the Kingdom of God can grow and we can gain the focus to grow in our own spiritual lives. David had just about lost his focus and purpose for serving God when he began to see that others who were not serving god seemed to be better off than he was. It was only when he went to God's house that he was able to re-center his life, his emotions, and his mentality on God. Sometimes our own lives get off center and we loose focus on why god put us here on earth. Church is there, week after week, to help us get our lives compacted and refocused on what truly matters in this life.

The next reason to be excited about going to church is because we can connect with others. (vs 4) God's house was the place where the law was inside the ark and the mercy seat sprinkled with blood was on top of the ark (Ex 25:21) It was where David connected with others in giving god thanks not only for His commandments, but also for His mercy. God's law ins in each of us who have received His Spirit and we are each partakers of His mercy by the blood He shed for us. Church is where we can connect with the people of God. We can't do that by staying home. 

Third, David wanted to go up to Jerusalem and the house of the Lord because of the change he know would occur in his life. (vs 5) The judges would sit at the gates of the city and any person who entered would be judged. If there was anything unlearn about the person or id there was an accusation being brought against that person, the judges would bring ti to their attention. We need to ask ourselves, "So were really want to go to heave?" If so, then we should not dread or become angry when the Word of God or the man of God brings something to our attention that needs change. (Peter 4:17; 1Cor 11:32) of course i's one thing to listen to a scolding, but it's another thing to take it to heart and allow the changes to take place in your life. being reprimanded does not seem life something to be excited about nor dies it seem like something to go to church for, but the you take it as something that is going to help you in life and eventually in eternity, it is something to be glad about. (Job 5:17)

The final reason David was excited to go to God's house was because he knew that attending church honored God, and also affected how his family would view church. vs. 6-9 He prayed for peace there because it was where he and his family would be. We should not only pray for the peace of Jerusalem, but also for peace in our own church. Church service is so much better and more effective when there is peace within the community of the saints. Peace amongst ourselves honors the God of peace and allows His Spirit to move freely. This peace determines how each church service will impact not only your life, but your family's life. 

Going to church is something to be excited about. Church services allow us to regain our God-focus, connect with fellow believers in unit, experience God's peace and make an impact on our families. Church attendance is not only a privilege we enjoy and should take advantage of, but also it affects our lives not and for eternity. 

Questions: 

1. What is society's attitude toward church attendance?

2. How does a Christian's attitude toward church attendance differ from society's attitude? 

3. How does attending church affect our family?

4. Tell of a time when a church service changed your life?

5. Evaluate your attitude toward going to church? What is your main reason for going to church?