Whose Peace Do You Seek?

What does a Christian do with a psalm or other passage that speaks much about Jerusalem? Are we to focus a great deal on the modern city in Israel? Perhaps some passages would point us that way. But is that all we do?

Psalm 122:6-9

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“May they be secure who love you!
7 Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!”
8 For my brothers and companions’ sake
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.

What was the point of the psalmist here? Without a doubt, he was praying for and seeking the good of the ancient city of Jerusalem. But why? He sought the peace and prosperity of the city of Jerusalem because that is the place where the house of the Lord was located. He sought Jerusalem’s good because he was seeking the good of the name of God and the people of God.

What would the modern parallel be? Where do we see the people of God? Where do we find the worship of God? Where do we see the temple of the living God? My friends, as you see a psalm like Psalm 122, pray for the church.

One of the images used for the church is the picture of us, as living stones, being built together into a holy temple. The psalm sought the good of Jerusalem because that city was the location of the temple and the home of those who love the Lord.

With that in mind, ask yourself if you pray for and seek the good of the church with appropriate fervor. We do not have a city to battle for. This is not at all a military campaign. This is not even a flesh and blood fight. But we are the people of god being built together into the temple of God for the glory of God in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Christian friends, what can you do that is of greater importance than seeking the good of your local church? No, do not sacrifice your family for ministry activity. But, in truth, any individual believer or family will find our identities in the fact that we are Christ-followers and part of a local body of believers. We give, pray, serve, and care for the church in a way that should be more significant than the way the people of Israel maintained the walls and gates of Jerusalem.