"Ascending to God's Presence" November 14 Readings: Ezekiel 35-36, Hebrews 7:1–10, Psalm 121, Proverbs 28:1

  

Reading the Bible in 2025

Each day this year, we will read a selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament, a portion of the Psalms, and a part of Proverbs. By the end of the year, you will have read the entire Bible. We read this way to give you a bit of variety. 

NOTE: If you get behind, do not give up. Read today's readings and try to catch up when you have a chance. The goal is not to "accomplish a task" but to meet God in his word. Read the word. Also, if you are short on time, READ GOD'S WORD and skip my devotional!

Bible Readings: Ezekiel 35-36, Hebrews 7:1–10, Psalm 121, Proverbs 28:1

    Scriptures linked to Bible Gateway in ESV version 

Daily Devotional: Ascending to God's Presence

The trek would start at the Pool of Siloam, at the lower end of Jerusalem, the City of David. As the pilgrims would come to worship, they would ascend on a wide road up past the ancient city, past the king's palace, and toward the Temple Mount. They would walk up the steps in the picture here to the gate that led into the Temple area, to bring their offerings, worship God, and make atonement for their sins.

And as they walked up the street, as they ascended the steps, they would sing psalms that declared the goodness of God. These are called the "Songs of Ascent" and they are found in Psalms 120-134.

The City of David is on a ridge below the Temple Mount, and it is surrounded by hills all around. As the Israelites walked up Mt. Moriah, burdened with fears and cares, struggles and trials, they could gaze at those mountain peaks all around, and they could ask:

I lift my eyes toward the mountains.
Where will my help come from?
 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.  Psalm 121:1-2

They reminded themselves of the grace and mercy, the goodness and kindness of the God they worshiped. Whenever they had turned to them, no matter how great the need, he had been their help. The Creator was also their Savior. 

David's city was positioned among these mountains for protection and provision. Inside this southern slope of Mt. Moriah was the Gihon Spring, which would provide water for Jerusalem, even in times of drought or when enemies surrounded them. The hills around the city were designed to protect them as well. Jerusalem provided natural protection and provision. But the Psalmist did not forget where the real help came from. 

Indeed, the Protector of Israel

does not slumber or sleep.

The Lord protects you;

the Lord is a shelter right by your side.

The sun will not strike you by day

or the moon by night. Psalm 121:4-6

Hills can help, but God is the real shelter, the real protector. And as the Israelites walked up the mountain with the hills surrounding them, they reminded themselves of this. 

They were utterly dependent on the Lord. Sometimes they forgot that and suffered for it. But the Psalms of Ascent were designed to remind Israel that they had a good God, one who cared for them and one who would never leave or forsake them. 

The Lord will protect you from all harm;
he will protect your life.
The Lord will protect your coming and goingboth now and forever. Psalm 121:7-8

We don't ascend the steps into the church singing psalms (maybe we should - a little pre-service spiritual preparation couldn't hurt), but we, like Israel, must remind ourselves daily that our God is good, and faithful, and that his love is everlasting. 

Father, I thank you for your goodness and grace, displayed every day. May I never forget who you are and what you have done for me. 

 

Consider God's Word:

Which of these four passages spoke most clearly to you today? 

Is there sin in your life that needs to be confessed and dealt with that was revealed in one of these passages? 

Is there something in your life that needs to change?

Is there a struggle in your life that one of these passages spoke to? 

Do you enter worship with a prepared spirit?
Do you recognize the God of Heaven as your source, your protector, your spring of life, or do you seek from the world what you ought to seek from God?