Psalms of Ascent
The traditional Songs of Ascent are found in the book of Psalms, chapters 120-134. They are pilgrim songs, originally sung by those making the journey up the hills to Jerusalem, up to God’s temple, up to the one place on earth where the Presence of God abided.
This Lenten season, as we engage in our own new songs of ascent, may we travel together with Jesus, not simply towards the cross, but towards the new heaven and earth He beheld beyond it. Let us join in the wonder of our Lord’s life—His courage, His faith, His passion, His sacrifice, and His ascension. May the following meditations prove to be His own ministry among us, working to see His kingdom come and His will be done in new ways and at new depths. Amen.
Following Online
The Songs of Ascent are intended to be used as a guide to walk through the Lenten Season. We would encourage you to find one of the booklets in the sanctuary during the service so that you may keep these songs with you to take notes and journal through this process.
We will also be providing a space online to journey through the Songs of Ascent as well as a supplemental guide provided through a pastor devotional to be posted online every Thursday starting March 17. You can find this devotional at imagodeicommunity.com/pastordevotional
Benchmark of Sacrifice
First Read: Luke 9:59-62
"Work" by Meredith Stewart - Posted on April 13
We turn our hearts away from work.
We do not make trees grow the hard green fruit that reddens into food.
The rain of God’s favor falls on those who work, and those who sleep, and those who sit at Jesus’s feet feasting on what is better.
We turn our hearts away from work, from nailing beams and plastering walls. We may huddle in our houses, warm for awhile, but we still long for what is better.
We turn our hearts away from work, from the slicing of bread, the sizzling pan, the so good soup, filling our stomachs.
We choose Jesus, which is better.
We choose Jesus, easy-yoked God-flesh.
The source of all goodness, rain and food.
We do not have to work to sit at his feet, and he will not be taken away.