Scripture Reading:
And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. —Ephesians 2:17–18
Fill in the blank:
As we draw near to the
of God, our natural response is to
and
.
Psalm 122:1-2; 16:11; Hebrews 10:22
God
his people as he draws them to
to make his
in them.
Psalm 122:3–5; Ephesians 2:17–21; 1 Peter 2:4–5
Our
for God’s kingdom drives us to
for his
to be found among his people.
Psalm 122:6–9; Jeremiah 29:7; Philippians 4:6–7
Jesus is the true
and it is only through
that we fully enter God’s
.
John 2:19–21; Hebrews 10:19–22; Revelation 21:22–23
A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you.
—Psalm 84:10-12 (NLT)
Questions for Further Reflection:
1. Do you approach worship with genuine joy, or has it become a routine? What would help you rediscover gladness in gathering?
2. How are you contributing to the unity and strength of the church as part of God’s spiritual house?
3. Do you regularly pray for the peace and flourishing of God’s people and your local community? If not, where can you start?
4. Are you truly drawing near to God through Christ each day, or have you been standing at a distance from his presence?
Referenced Scriptures:
Scripture quotations are from the ESV unless noted otherwise.
Psalm 122 (NLT)
1 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” 2 And now here we are, standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem is a well-built city; its seamless walls cannot be breached. 4 All the tribes of Israel—the LORD’s people— make their pilgrimage here. They come to give thanks to the name of the LORD, as the law requires of Israel. 5 Here stand the thrones where judgment is given, the thrones of the dynasty of David. 6 Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. 7 O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces. 8 For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “May you have peace.” 9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Hebrews 10:22
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Ephesians 2:17–21
17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
1 Peter 2:4–5
4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Jeremiah 29:7
But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
Philippians 4:6–7
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
John 2:19–21
19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body.
Hebrews 10:19–22
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Revelation 21:22–23
22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.