Bob's Blog!

November 20, 2024

Around 80,000,000 people are expected to be on planes, trains or highways over the Thanksgiving holiday here in the states. What could possibly go wrong? Did you know that there is a Psalm for holiday travel? In fact, there are several.

Psalms 120-134 are called the Psalms of Ascent and were composed for the children of Israel as they would travel to Jerusalem. Since the city was located on a mountain (referred to as Mt. Zion), the travelers would be going uphill. Three times a year the nation would gather in the city for a Holy Day (holiday), which meant that the entire nation would hit the roads at the same time. It would feel as if the entire nation was in the same place because they were.

If you lived further away, your trip was obviously longer. You and your family along with the other families from your village or area would travel together to the city and back home. (This helps us understand Luke 2:44.) Along the way other groups would join your group where you would share news and the familiar lines of “wow, look how much he/she has grown” would be heard.

The traveling was primarily by foot. Any inns along the way would be crammed, so many people would camp along the way and prepare their own food. It would be fun, but tiring and, of course, uphill. In this setting, we can appreciate these songs of ascent, particularly Psalm 121. I imagine that when the foothills around Jerusalem start to come into view, that one of the travelers would start singing, “I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where does my help come?” To which the group would respond, “My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” Now the song was up and running and as the group would sing, they would be reminded of the promises of God for 24/7 protection, shade, comfort, and provision forever.

I’m guessing that Jesus sang this song as he traveled with his family from Nazareth to Jerusalem for Passover and other holy days. At some point he would realize that he was fulfillment of this promise even as he now, intercedes for us.

Some of you will be traveling next week. Before you head out of your drive, ask a member of your group to read Psalm 121 and thank God for his provision and protection all our days.

Thankful,

Bob

Sunday’s text: Luke 9:51-56

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