Psalm 133

This short Psalm tells us something else the pilgrim finds when he makes his journey to God.  He finds that he is not alone in the enjoyment of his soul-satisfaction.  He did not make this journey alone (Psalm 122:1). and he is not alone in Jerusalem.

I have often thought how wonderful it would be to retire alone to a cabin in the woods.  But before long, I come to my senses.  First, I realize that I would have to learn a whole new set of life-skills, such as how to deal with a grizzly in the yard or pesky raccoons on the porch.  But then, even more I think about what it would be like to live alone.  A few days alone can be, and are wonderful, but after that one becomes self-centered.  To live a life where you are the only object of your own attention is an empty life and not the one of deep satisfaction we discover when we come to God.

Think of another setting.  I once attended a Denver Broncos game with one of my sons.  The Broncos were trailing as they entered the 4th quarter.  The quarterback, John Elway, was known for his 4th quarter comebacks.  The crowd of 65,000 anticipated one of John's miracles, as did I and my son, and when it materialized, the response of the extremely partisan Denver crowd was just overwhelming.  We continued to bask in the glory of the moment as we made our all-night drive back to our home in Montana.

Now imagine that you are part of a crowd of people who has just completed the long, dangerous, dusty trek to the glorious city of God.  Rounding the corner where the magnificent temple of Solomon comes into view must have been a thrill.  To share it with a crowd would have been like that moment in Mile High Stadium.

But now go farther.  Think of a group, perhaps a church fellowship, or a Bible study class, or men's prayer group, or young moms fellowship for prayer and study.  Imagine that as they journey together in the Scriptures, sharing their lives together, together they come to know God at a whole new depth, life evermore as the Psalm says (v3).  I have experienced that a few times and there is nothing like it.  A Jew might say it's like the oil that runs down the beard of the priest at his most holy consecration.  Or perhaps it's like the refreshing dew of Mt. Hermon, that most beautiful mountain in Israel.  Words fail to describe, but one cannot miss the point: God has not only made us to fellowship with Him; He has made us to fellowship with other pilgrims.  And when you stay with each other on the difficult walk, the arrival at the moment of deeper worship is truly amazing!