Happy Trails: Journey Through the Psalms of AscentExemplo

This chapter brings us to the final Psalm of Ascent, written to be sung as the pilgrims depart for the many miles of the journey home. While being both short and sweet, we ought not miss the powerful truth that it holds in three verses. It is a passionate appeal to bless the Lord - a call to worship Him even when the sun has long since set and stars begin to emerge in the evening sky, not to mention a weariness has surely by this hour begun to set in for the road-worn travelers. Remember this, God is deserving of our devotion at every hour and in every season of our lives. Our present circumstances do not determine whether He is worthy of our praise.

There is no command in these verses to come before the Lord with the hopes of receiving, but rather, to give to Him blessings and adoration. We too must not allow ourselves to forfeit the great bliss that comes from giving to God. We are depriving ourselves by only taking from Him whenever we come before His presence. There is joy found in both giving and taking, in asking and in thanking.

Yet beyond any contribution we may make by our prayers and our praise, the highest joy of man lies not in anything relating to himself, but in the very being of God Himself. Every blessing that comes to us by God is only an added benefit, a pocket-sized present left for us in the middle of a newly-gifted mansion. He Himself, knowing Him and being known by Him, is the joy of man, the treasure ad infinitum, our Great Reward.

Right now, no matter the hour of the day, whether you are surrounded by a flurry of busyness or a numbing monotony, remember your Great Reward. Give Him all your cares, give Him all your praise. Give Him blessings and offerings and thanks and glory. Give back to Him the life He gave you. Give Him your entire heart. He is worthy.

We have now reached the end of our two week journey through the Psalms of Ascent, but your voyage with Christ is far from over. In many ways, it has only just begun.

1. In carrying your requests to God in prayer, do you ever find yourself forgetting to also bring blessings and thanks to Him?
2. Where is one area in your life that you have yet to bless and thank the Lord about?
3. Take this moment to meditate on the heart of God. In the secret place between only you and Him, let your own heart become lost in worship and wonder.

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Thank you for coming on the journey! I pray you are living stronger and closer to Jesus than you came.
Much love,
Levi
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