Psalms 132:1-18 (NLT)
1 A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. LORD, remember David and all that he suffered.
2 He made a solemn promise to the LORD. He vowed to the Mighty One of Israel,
3 “I will not go home; I will not let myself rest.
4 I will not let my eyes sleep nor close my eyelids in slumber
5 until I find a place to build a house for the LORD, a sanctuary for the Mighty One of Israel.”
6 We heard that the Ark was in Ephrathah; then we found it in the distant countryside of Jaar.
7 Let us go to the sanctuary of the LORD; let us worship at the footstool of his throne.
8 Arise, O LORD, and enter your resting place, along with the Ark, the symbol of your power.
9 May your priests be clothed in godliness; may your loyal servants sing for joy.
10 For the sake of your servant David, do not reject the king you have anointed.
11 The LORD swore an oath to David with a promise he will never take back: “I will place one of your descendants on your throne.
12 If your descendants obey the terms of my covenant and the laws that I teach them, then your royal line will continue forever and ever.”
13 For the LORD has chosen Jerusalem; he has desired it for his home.
14 “This is my resting place forever,” he said. “I will live here, for this is the home I desired.
15 I will bless this city and make it prosperous; I will satisfy its poor with food.
16 I will clothe its priests with godliness; its faithful servants will sing for joy.
17 Here I will increase the power of David; my anointed one will be a light for my people.
18 I will clothe his enemies with shame, but he will be a glorious king.”
David understood that the Ark of the Covenant represented the glory and presence of God, and he recognized that it deserved a permanent resting place. Just as it was fitting to honor the king by providing him with a royal dwelling, David saw an opportunity to honor the Creator by building a house that reflected the majesty of His glory.
The honor given to the Lord’s presence would be expressed through the quality, beauty, and splendor of the place dedicated to His worship. As this passion for honoring God found visible and tangible expression, the anointing upon those who served in that worship increased accordingly.
Today, we have become the dwelling place of the Most High. As living stones being built together into the habitation of His glory, the honor we give Him should be evident both in our consecrated lives—bodies set apart as His resting place—and in the places where we gather as His people. Together, they should testify to His greatness and form a dwelling worthy of His excellence.