Psalms 125:1-5 (NLT)
1 A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever.
2 Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, both now and forever.
3 The wicked will not rule the land of the godly, for then the godly might be tempted to do wrong.
4 O LORD, do good to those who are good, whose hearts are in tune with you.
5 But banish those who turn to crooked ways, O LORD. Take them away with those who do evil. May Israel have peace!
Much more critical than the ideas and plans of a nation and its leaders is the nature of their heart. The best intentions of the ungodly only turn to disaster as the care they purport results in lawlessness and chaos. However, even missteps of those who acknowledge and defer to God can be turned to blessing and good.
This is the motive and expectancy of those advancing to Jerusalem, their place of honor and worship. This wasn’t just a religious tradition to be maintained. This was aligning with the Source of their defense and provision. In their praises of Him was the recognition that compromise with the world and participation in its ways was perilous. Any acceptance of ungodly influencers was like opening the door to predators. Exalting God as their Protector that would remove harmful infiltrators while honoring those who honored HIm was central to their experience in worship.
Though there is a heart of reconciliation we’ve received in the New Creation to include those of all nations and tribes, there is yet a critical aspect of acknowledging the Greater One that includes contending for the blessing of the righteous in the removal of ungodly governance. In our advance to the place of worship, there can also be recognition of grace from Him that enables our peace, while actively petitioning for the establishment of righteousness through hearts that defer to godliness for its source.