Make Zion the place you delight in. Repair Jerusalem's broken down walls. Then You'll get real worship from us, acts of worship large and small, including all the bulls You can heave on Your altar. (The Message Bible. Vs. 18-19)
Zion. Where God dwells. Jerusalem His earthly city. A picture of us, no doubt. This temple in which He dwells has been broken down and needs repair.
I was talking with a friend last night who had fallen into sin and lost what is most precious to her. Not an uncommon story. But the question she asked herself in our conversation was: "How did I get there?" At what point did the walls she had secured around her heart get broken down sufficiently to allow a sin completely counter to her understanding of what is right to overwhelm and conquer her?
But each of you is tempted when you are dragged away by your own evil desire and enticed. Then after desire is conceived, it gives birth to sin. And sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. So, don't be deceived. (James 1). Chipping away. One little thought at a time. As Martin Luther said: "You can't keep the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from making a nest in your hair." In my conversation with my friend, it was clear when the first lustful thought came. It was really a surprise. Hmmm. Where did that come from? Then a latent neediness slowly pushed its way up and up to look again in a wrong direction. Over weeks and months the "bird" nested until it felt almost familiar there. Full-blown acting upon the thought became ultimately inevitable because her increasing sense of neediness fed her desire to justify a relationship like David's. One which God didn't sanction. Walls came crashing down! The death of a family ensued.
I know this story, too. The story of giving in. Letting the walls fall down. The devastation of the nesting birds. You might, also. Hope not. But it gives me insight into why David would end this psalm in such a strange, religious-sounding way. He goes from his sinfulness to God and Mount Zion. What?
Here is what I think. Only the Sovereign God Who dwells in incomparable light and wields all-surpassing power from His throne in Zion is capable of rebuilding in us what has been broken down. Even if we tore it apart with our very own hands. (Which is usually case with us.) If Zion is the ultimate dwelling place and we are Jerusalem, we must admit when we are falling apart. When sin has imploded us and scattered the pieces of our former glory all over like shrapnel from a grenade. The wounded soldier doesn't go forward and pick up his leg or arm and carry it back with him to base then try to figure out how to reattach it. We are messed up like that when we sin. Bleeding to death and in need of rescue and repair. God doesn't turn away from such a one who calls out to Him for help. The deep gratitude of one saved, forgiven and rebuilt is never-ending and heartfelt. Jesus said: "The one forgiven much, loves much." Whatever Christ wants, we want to adoringly lay at His feet because we received mercy and healing though we didn't deserve it. Makes the heart sing and the feet dance! Fills our Jerusalems with palm branches. To be restored and rebuilt after the ruin we have caused should make us run to find the sacrifices that please our God. Whatever makes Him happy. So in love with the Beloved King of Zion are we!
My friend and I understand the amazing grace of restoration and rebuilding. It is hard work. We have had to help with the replacing of brick on brick. The slavery we subjected ourselves to had to be escaped. Our minds had to change. Our feet had to face a different direction and walk out of ruin. Picking up the pieces. Handing them to Him. Doing what He asks of us again. Step by step. Day by day. But, as with David, the foundation had already been laid. The Builder is able to reconstruct with us the structure built on Him. Shored up and secured, perhaps the current glory will exceed the former glory because our God is faithful.
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon Me because the Lord has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom to the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty for ashes....." Jesus
Zion. Where God dwells. Jerusalem His earthly city. A picture of us, no doubt. This temple in which He dwells has been broken down and needs repair.
I was talking with a friend last night who had fallen into sin and lost what is most precious to her. Not an uncommon story. But the question she asked herself in our conversation was: "How did I get there?" At what point did the walls she had secured around her heart get broken down sufficiently to allow a sin completely counter to her understanding of what is right to overwhelm and conquer her?
But each of you is tempted when you are dragged away by your own evil desire and enticed. Then after desire is conceived, it gives birth to sin. And sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. So, don't be deceived. (James 1). Chipping away. One little thought at a time. As Martin Luther said: "You can't keep the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from making a nest in your hair." In my conversation with my friend, it was clear when the first lustful thought came. It was really a surprise. Hmmm. Where did that come from? Then a latent neediness slowly pushed its way up and up to look again in a wrong direction. Over weeks and months the "bird" nested until it felt almost familiar there. Full-blown acting upon the thought became ultimately inevitable because her increasing sense of neediness fed her desire to justify a relationship like David's. One which God didn't sanction. Walls came crashing down! The death of a family ensued.
I know this story, too. The story of giving in. Letting the walls fall down. The devastation of the nesting birds. You might, also. Hope not. But it gives me insight into why David would end this psalm in such a strange, religious-sounding way. He goes from his sinfulness to God and Mount Zion. What?
Here is what I think. Only the Sovereign God Who dwells in incomparable light and wields all-surpassing power from His throne in Zion is capable of rebuilding in us what has been broken down. Even if we tore it apart with our very own hands. (Which is usually case with us.) If Zion is the ultimate dwelling place and we are Jerusalem, we must admit when we are falling apart. When sin has imploded us and scattered the pieces of our former glory all over like shrapnel from a grenade. The wounded soldier doesn't go forward and pick up his leg or arm and carry it back with him to base then try to figure out how to reattach it. We are messed up like that when we sin. Bleeding to death and in need of rescue and repair. God doesn't turn away from such a one who calls out to Him for help. The deep gratitude of one saved, forgiven and rebuilt is never-ending and heartfelt. Jesus said: "The one forgiven much, loves much." Whatever Christ wants, we want to adoringly lay at His feet because we received mercy and healing though we didn't deserve it. Makes the heart sing and the feet dance! Fills our Jerusalems with palm branches. To be restored and rebuilt after the ruin we have caused should make us run to find the sacrifices that please our God. Whatever makes Him happy. So in love with the Beloved King of Zion are we!
My friend and I understand the amazing grace of restoration and rebuilding. It is hard work. We have had to help with the replacing of brick on brick. The slavery we subjected ourselves to had to be escaped. Our minds had to change. Our feet had to face a different direction and walk out of ruin. Picking up the pieces. Handing them to Him. Doing what He asks of us again. Step by step. Day by day. But, as with David, the foundation had already been laid. The Builder is able to reconstruct with us the structure built on Him. Shored up and secured, perhaps the current glory will exceed the former glory because our God is faithful.
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon Me because the Lord has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom to the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty for ashes....." Jesus
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