PSALMS OF ASCENT!

PSALM 122:6-7

Secure
PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM: MAY THOSE WHO LOVE YOU BE SECURE. MAY THERE BE PEACE WITHIN YOUR WALLS AND SECURITY WITHIN YOUR CITADELS. (PSALMS 122:67 NIV)
SECURITY
Unity is vital for true security. In previous articles on this Psalm we looked at the desire of the Psalmist to be in a secure place - Jerusalem (v3) where justice is seen to be done (v5). He also anticipates seeing the different tribes united in the common purpose of worshipping the God who chose them as His special people (v4). Worship has a family - and it is meant to be all tribes, all people. In 2012 the Olympics come to London. A recent controversy in the press has been over whether Libya should be allowed to take up their ticket allocation. Whatever the political and moral rights and wrongs of this particular case, it is true that any unity achieved over a few weeks of sporting competition is, sadly, only temporary. And its very temporary nature reveals its essential shallowness. All unity is temporary in this world, but not in the Kingdom of God.

WITHIN
The prayer for peace is not a prayer for safety from enemies outside, but for peace within. The word within is repeated several times in these verses and in verse 8. If we would see our faith make any difference in this dark lost world, we must rst attend to our unity as followers of Jesus. The church is a spiritual family working for each others wholeness. This is why we meet frequently, not just once a week. It is also why we rightly emphasise home-based ministry. Hospitality and spending quality time together is crucial to deepening our relationships. The need for true unity is also why what we call discipling times are so helpful. These are times to pray together, confess together and help one another in love. In this way God is able to do His work in us and produce His peace within the Christian community. Of course, this peace will not only benet our spiritual brothers and sisters,

but also all those we are reaching out to.

ASK
We do our bit to forge unity, but it is God who does the miraculous. He is the one who gives us a heartfelt unity and love for one another that no disappointments or sins against one another can break. To see Him give us this unity we must - ask. The word for pray in this verse is the common Hebrew word, ask. It is the informal more than the formal word for prayer. It is the word used when asking for a second helping at a meal if you were still hungry, or for directions if you got lost. This reveals that we are meant to pray for unity within the church as a normal part of our everyday prayers it is not meant to be something prayed only in a crisis. Are we working and praying for unity within? It must be done proactively. Passivity guarantees division. Prayer guarantees peace.

Malcolm Cox, email: malcolm.cox@iccmissions.org | ICC Missions on facebook | www.nwlcc.org