PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Psalm 129
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.” (Psalm 129:5)
For the Jews, the hill called Zion symbolized all God’s promises.
Not only their capitol, it was the city of David their king.
And the location of their temple, where God lived with them.
To hate Zion is to hate God, and to hate all that God represents.
This was no doubt nationalistic pride for the people of Israel.
But how do we read this verse as Jesus followers?
Jesus is our Zion, who symbolizes all God’s promises for the world.
He is the true heir of David, and the ruler of the world.
He does not represent a worldly kingdom, but the kingdom of God.
God’s kingdom signifies all that is good and right, for all people.
Some things we shouldn’t be ashamed of, but other things we should.
The purpose of shame is to shake and wake us up, to come to our senses.
I don’t wish shame on anyone, but shame may be necessary – for all of us!
After all, shouldn’t someone who hates goodness be ashamed?
PRAYER
Lord, its hard to imagine people opposed to your goodness and grace. But you faced them too. Some of them were ashamed, and repented. May many more be ashamed, and seek your goodness.
“May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.” I’ve been rebuked and hated for doing the right thing. But I’ve learned to not be ashamed. Rather those who rebuke me will one day have to pay the price for their abuse on me – they will be shamed. But should I wish evil on them – revenge? I used to have that mindset – but not anymore. As the Psalmist says, may it not be said of them, ‘blessed’. How can we bless someone who perpetrates evil? Rather we can hope that they will be ashamed and turn from their evil ways. Jesus taught us to love our enemies – that means we want them to also find the way from evil. We can not bless the evil they do but we can pray that they may be ashamed and turn from evil – and when they do that they too may be blessed! Lord, help me to discern and encourage others to find you!
Our comfort is in the Lord. When oppressed our hand is still in the hand of the Lord and He will set me free. When my hand is in His hand – that’s comfort. Walking with the Lord at all times is the way for comfort which only He is able to give. I need to continue my walk with Him always.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still
And with all who will trust and obey