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Daily Devotion: Psalm 102:16

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Psalm 102:16    "When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory. 

Quick reminder:  We can see a word picture of the Church when Zion is mentioned in the Old Testament.

We do not do damage to the Scripture when we say, "When the LORD shall build up (His Church), He shall appear in His glory." We can go to the New Testament to a conversation between Peter and the Lord Jesus Christ to verify this.  "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)  Please understand Peter was not the rock of which Jesus spoke. The Solid Rock, the foundation of the church of Jesus Christ is Christ, Himself. The church is not built by any man.  No organization can be a lasting one if it is built, or populated, because of any individual or group of individuals.  If Peter had been the foundation of the church, it would have crumbled long ago. We can be assured the true church of the Lord Jesus Christ will be established as long as the earth remains. Then at that point, she (the church) shall be lifted into heaven's glory.

When man builds a church organization, that man's glory is seen. But when the storms of life come upon us, there is no strength, peace, or comfort from anything man made. We saw back in Psalm 100 that all goodness is made by the Lord, Himself. When the Lord is the builder and sustainer of His Church, His glory is seen. When we are filled with the glory of God, we have strength to endure.  He doesn't take us from the storms, but He does guide our footsteps as we struggle in life's daily battles. Jesus never promised to take away our problems and struggles; rather, He promised to always be with us and give us strength to continue.

Jesus tells us in John 16:33, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."  We have been given the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Be assured of that. And as we are assured and reminded constantly through our worship, study, prayer, and praise, we experience that peace which Christ has promised us.  "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.  (27)  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:26-27) The purpose of the church of Jesus Christ is not to make me feel good about myself; rather the purpose of the church is to exalt the glory of our precious Lord. When we do that, we can be assured we will be able to see and experience that glory by faith.
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