Have you ever read the words "A Song/Psalm of Ascents" and wondered what it meant? Before our Women's retreat where Terri taught on the annual feasts and before studying the take home Bible study written by Kathryn R., I did not realize the significance of these psalms in the lives of the Israelite people. The Israelites would quote Psalms 120-134 as they traveled toward Jerusalem for the annual feasts.
These Psalms touch our lives at the various moments we go through. We all experience times of disappointment, discouragement, hope, excitement and great joy. Just as God was with Israel, He is also with us~leading us toward Himself and His eternal kingdom. God has taken Kathryn through great difficulties, but by God's grace she is walking in joy as she continues this pilgrim journey. We're all in need of encouragement and that's what I have found in studying the Psalms of Ascents! I want to encourage you to pick up a copy if you don't already have one, and if you have one, but haven't been able to to begin the study, I pray that the Lord would help us all to make the time.
Kathryn's final paragraph of her introduction says,
"As we read through the Psalms of Ascents these coming weeks, imagine yourself being a pilgrim quoting these words as you travel on that dusty path. And, remember that you are, in truthful fact, a pilgrim traveling toward the New Jerusalem, the celestial city, where you will be forever in the joy and majesty of God's presence."
May the Lord bless us all richly as we study His Word together!
~Rebekah L.
No comments:
Post a Comment