June 17, 2018 - MARCHING TO ZION

Day 168 - (Today’s Bible readings: Leviticus 27:1-15; Psalm 137; 2 Corinthians 1:1-11)

“For there our captors
    required of us songs,
and our tormentors, mirth, saying,
    ‘Sing us one of the songs of Zion!’
How shall we sing the Lord's song
    in a foreign land?” (Psalm 137:3-4 ESV)

The Children of Israel, held captive in a foreign land, are asked to sing one of their old songs, one from their homeland, Zion. Their reluctance is understandable.

In a sense, we are living in a foreign land as well. Sin, death and the devil, our three great tormentors are all around us. Our comfort comes from the faith the Holy Spirit has given us in Christ, which results in us knowing that we are on our way home to heaven, the beautiful city of God.

Over a decade ago, I received a Call to return to serve I church where I had previously served. The church’s name was Zion. It was during that time that I came upon a hymn with a rather interesting refrain: “We’re marching to Zion...”

While I declined that Call, I am still marching to Zion. And so are you, fellow believer. We are marching to the eternal Zion, heaven, the beautiful city of God.

Come we that love the Lord, and let our joys be known,
Join in a song with sweet accord, Join in a song with sweet accord.
And thus surround the throne, and thus surround the throne.
We're marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion;
We're marching upward to Zion; the beautiful city of God.

Then let our songs a bound and every tear be dry;
We're marching through Immanuel's ground; we're marching through Immanuel's ground,
To fairer worlds on high, to fairer worlds on high.
We're marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion;
We're marching upward to Zion; the beautiful city of God.
(Come, We that love the Lord, The Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, #669 stanzas 1&4)

Heavenly Father, thank You for promising me that life in this foreign land is only temporary, and that I marching to Your heavenly Zion. Until I reach my final destination, please use me to invite others to join in the journey of faith. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.

“See’ you at the Communion table this morning!

Pastor David Paape

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings  
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!