Psalm 133:1 Behold, How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Psalm 134:2-3 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD. The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.

Psalm 135:1-2, 19-21 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise Him, O ye servants of the LORD. Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God. Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, o house of Aaron: Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD bless the LORD. Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

The Psalms of Ascent, are songs sung as the worshipper ascended to the Temple of God. Fifteen steps from “woe is me” to “Praise the LORD!” What really happens in this trek up to the dwelling place of God to move our attitudes and focus? Knowledge comes to understanding and understanding acted out is wisdom. This is best seen in the laying down of our man-made idols: “The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. They that make like unto them: so is every one that trusteth them.” Psalm 135:15-18

As our idols are willingly laid aside, the “fear (awe) of the LORD” becomes real as we accept forgiveness, we find unity with each other and we are free at last to lift our praises to the LORD with raised hands, songs, prayers of thanksgiving; we find hope in HIs Word, and we are at last comfortable in the land of our heritage and our desires are the same as the LORD’s: fellowship with the “maker of Heaven and earth,” (Psalm 130:4-5, Psalm 133:1, Psalm 134:3, Psalm 135:12, 20) as we “worship in his tabernacle at the footstool of the LORD.” (Psalm 132:7)

So where do I dwell? In the Hebrew, the word for dwell is yashab, and it means “to sit, remain, abide.” So the question becomes, where am I sitting, remaining, abiding? Am I firmly seated in “Heavenly places” (Ephesians 2:6) as the Word says I am or have I got one foot on earth because I am unwilling to lay down an idol, be obedient, and trust the LORD? (James 1:8) The climb is hard. The climb is costly. The climb requires opening our controlling hands. After this very difficult journey, I desire to dwell only in the courts of the LORD for “I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods!” Psalm 135:2,5) It is here there is PEACE! I join the psalmist is declaring that I will bless the LORD in my nation, my state, my city, my church, my family at large and in my house until I dwell with Him for eternity in the New Jerusalem.

Where do you desire to dwell? In early American history there was a saying, “Go west young man.” It was a challenge to move toward a new horizon, a promise of adventure, a hope and a future, and to be courageous. Moving west in scripture is moving toward God. Going east is always a picture of moving away from God. Are you stuck in the quicksand of life or are you moving? If you are moving the question becomes, are you going east or west?

Psalm 27:1-4

Love Will Be Our Home by Sandi Patti