Devo 13: Psalm 132
A Song of Ascents.
132 Remember, O Lord, in David's favor,
all the hardships he endured,
2 how he swore to the Lord
and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob,
3 “I will not enter my house
or get into my bed,
4 I will not give sleep to my eyes
or slumber to my eyelids,
5 until I find a place for the Lord,
a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
6 Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah;
we found it in the fields of Jaar.
7 “Let us go to his dwelling place;
let us worship at his footstool!”
8 Arise, O Lord, and go to your resting place,
you and the ark of your might.
9 Let your priests be clothed with righteousness,
and let your saints shout for joy.
10 For the sake of your servant David,
do not turn away the face of your anointed one.
11 The Lord swore to David a sure oath
from which he will not turn back:
“One of the sons of your body
I will set on your throne.
12 If your sons keep my covenant
and my testimonies that I shall teach them,
their sons also forever
shall sit on your throne.”
13 For the Lord has chosen Zion;
he has desired it for his dwelling place:
14 “This is my resting place forever;
here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provisions;
I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 Her priests I will clothe with salvation,
and her saints will shout for joy.
17 There I will make a horn to sprout for David;
I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.
18 His enemies I will clothe with shame,
but on him his crown will shine.”
Devotional Thought — God Does Not Forget:
In 1999's Stuart Little is a surprisingly powerful story of family, hope, and remembrance. Stuart is a mouse who is adopted by a human family in New York City. As soon as he is brought home, his human brother is disappointed, and the house cat tries to eat him. He is an outcast, always worried about being forgotten. However, his last name "Little" serves as a reminder to who he belongs to. In the end, it guides him home.
In NYC, we all feel a bit forgotten, but this Psalm reassures us that God has not and will not forget those who call on his name. David had faith as a son of God he would not be forgotten. Years later, Jesus Christ's faithfulness not only counted for himself (like David), but for all of those who bear his name. You, me, every follower of Christ who feels lost can lean on the name that now defines us — Jesus — to remind us where we belong. For he will guide us home.
Prayer:
Great and mighty God, you see us even when we feel unseen. When we feel lost in the city and in our relationships, you still pursue us. Please let us be comforted by your Holy Spirit because of the death and resurrection of your Son. Remind us that you are our true Father so that we do not idolize those we come across, and are not crushed when they disappoint us. Remember me today my Father. Amen.
