Zion

Zion

Day 1

Zion- The city of David and the city of God.

Zion is referenced in the Bible both physically and theologically.

Zion in the physical sense includes the ancient Jebusite Fortress, the hill on which it stood, the Temple and the Temple area in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is known also as the land of Judah. There is also reference to the people of Zion. This refers to the entire nation of Israel.

As a religious or theological reference, Zion refers to Israel as the people of God. It is God’s spiritual kingdom, church of God, the heavenly Jerusalem.

The following passage was sung as the people would go UP to Jerusalem for each of their feasts.

Psalm 125:1-4
Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion;
They will not be defeated but will endure forever.
Just as the mountains surround and protect Jerusalem,
So the Lord surrounds and protects his people, both now and forever.
The wicked will not rule the godly,
For then the godly might be forced to do wrong.
O LORD , do good to those who are good,
Whose hearts are in tune with you.
But banish those who turn to crooked ways, O LORD.
Take them away with those who do evil.
And let Israel have quietness and peace.

Day 2

Looking up

Isn’t it great when we have things to look forward to? I know it is much easier to obtain a goal if I have something tangible to remind me of that goal. I wasn’t there, but I am guessing that as the people of Jerusalem traveled to their homeland for the feasts, they must have enjoyed watching Mount Zion get closer and closer as they looked up. I think of the last two years we have packed our 3 children into our minivan for a family vacation during Christmas. How we had so many luxuries inside let alone the fact we had a vehicle. We had a picture in our minds, a final destination (Disneyland) in our hearts. In the ancient days, many people walked. Along with them they brought their children who were not so easily amused by the rough terrain and beauty that surrounded them. They were probably bored so they sang together and they had something to look forward to as they watched the mountain draw near. Psalm 125 was one of the songs they would sing. That journey was not an easy one, and they did it several times. The same thing is true with our faith. Although we will face trials, it really isn’t that bad if we consider our reward. But, how do we keep focused when there is nothing to set our sights on. It is important to remember that if we trust in the Lord, we are like mount Zion, we can’t be moved. We cannot be defeated, we will last forever. The Lord will surround us and protect us now and forever.

Day 3

Revelation to Relationship

In the Bible we see that God revealed his Word at Mount Sinai. It wasn’t a destination for the people, it was just a place, or a stop along the way. Then the people would continue on their journey towards Jerusalem, or Mount Zion. When they got there, they would take what they heard at Mount Sinai and they would put it into action. They would flesh out what they had learned. They would turn their revelation into relationship with God.

What does this thought make you think of? There are many symbolic examples similar to Mount Sinai and Mount Zion. Here are a few I am thinking of.
Revelation at Church to flesh out on Earth
Revelation in Prayer to flesh out in our lives/others lives
Revelation at School to flesh out in our relationships and careers.
Revelation at Bible study to flesh out in our walk with God
Revelation through this study to flesh out in our lives and journey towards heaven.

Day 4

Go Forward, reaching the goal

To reach our goal for spiritual maturity, we should take what we have learned the last 26 weeks through this devotional and flesh it out, put it into action. We should grow spiritually or move forward, closer to the goal each time we learn something new about God and our relationship with Him. I am the first to admit that I would rather feel all cozy and safe by hearing the Word of God and learning about his Word than actually putting it into action. But when I read that the land of Zion was overflowing with milk and honey, I want to be there, I want to see it myself. I want the revelation to flesh out in my relationship with God. I know that there should be a visible difference in our lives, a path, from where we were and a goal to where we are going. I know that sometimes, my destination has many stops along the way, some places I need to go through before I make it to the goal. I don’t want to be cozy in one place, I want to keep moving, keeping looking forward to the goal.

What progress has this group helped you make in your spiritual walk with God? What is your goal for spiritual maturity?

We must go from the hearer to the doer. Mount Zion symbolizes our relationship with God, what he wants from us. The desire, the yearning to see him, to want to be with him, to reach that goal. It symbolizes the destination we are all getting closer to each day. We must be like Mount Zion, unmovable in our commitment to be more like him each day. We must have faith that God will surround us and keep safe now and forever, but we must be willing to move forward and take risks for His glory.

Day 5

Don't miss it!

I don’t want to miss God’s will in my life. I want to keep going on my journey. Head for the Hills. Go through some of the hills until I reach the highest mountain. If I am given all these opportunities to hear the Word, which God orchestrated for me, then I do nothing with what I have learned, I am missing the mark, denying my blessings, God’s will in my life. I truly believe that this can happen. He sent people in the dessert to wander for 40 years until they could get it right. He isn’t going to treat me any different. If I am to truly be in relationship with God, I need to do what he calls me to do. Zion, it is our letter Z, fitting for the last letter in the alphabet, it’s symbolism should be our main goal, to be with God in eternity. The final destination. Most of us are educated far beyond our obedience with God. We are fat with the word, but we keep it to ourselves. What are we going to do to day to live a life that shows our commitment to God, to reaching our goal. What are we going to focus on?

Psalm 125:1-4
Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion;
They will not be defeated but will endure forever.
Just as the mountains surround and protect Jerusalem,
So the Lord surrounds and protects his people, both now and forever.
The wicked will not rule the godly,
For then the godly might be forced to do wrong.
O LORD , do good to those who are good,
Whose hearts are in tune with you.
But banish those who turn to crooked ways, O LORD.
Take them away with those who do evil.
And let Israel have quietness and peace.

Dear Lord, thank you so much for this series, Words of Worship. Little did I know that you would wreck me in so many places in my life. But what a blessing it has been. What a relief that you were in our midst along the way. Lord, I only pray that I will be able to please you as I push on in this journey, this faith walk that has many trials and many blessings. Be with me and the others as we move forward in our relationship with you, as we put our faith in your promises. Lord, will you surround us today and forever. And May we be like Mount Zion, not movable.

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