The Joy of the Whole Earth

Psalm 48:1-3

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, The joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, The city of the great King. God is in her palaces; He is known as her refuge.

This Mount Zion was where David pitch a tent for the presence of the Lord and all Israel danced and sang with great joy – it was a free and happy place!

So when Paul was looking for a word to communicate what ‘church’ should be like he said “ZION”. It should be as outrageously happy and free as Zion.

Hebrews 12:22-23 (AMP) you have come to Mount Zion, even to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless multitudes of angels in joyful gathering, And to the church (assembly) of the Firstborn who are registered [as citizens] in heaven.

Last Sunday we looked at the succession of altars, tents and temples where God had resided with his people, and saw that Zion’s tent was especially a picture of how the Church would be in the end times … and we contrasted it to the structure that came immediately before, the Tabernacle of Moses.

The Plans for the Tabernacle that Moses erected in the wilderness were given to him on another mountain – Mount Sinai. He was told See that you make all things (the tabernacle) according to the pattern shown you on the mountain (Hebrews 8:5).

So when we back up a little in Hebrews 12, where he says you have come to Mount Zion, he specifically says (v18) you have not come to the mountain … that burned with fire … and the voice … so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. This describes Mount Sinai.

So in finding language to describe “church”, he says, it’s not this (Moses’), but it’s this (David’s).

The two fresh things about David’s that Moses’ didn’t have were:

1. 1.The joyful noise (happy people in joyful interaction with the God of mirth and laughter)
   

2. 2.A royal priesthood (a priest who was a reigning king = throne room authority in the priesthood)
   

Church was to be a people who were the joy of the whole earth! Characterised by overflowing joy and real authority.

But I’ve been meditating about these two structures this week, and I’m seeing some other things.

3. 3.No fences! It looks open, it looks free – remember God had already pulled down the boundary of law to allow David to minister as priest – so the Church that is the joy of the whole earth in these days doesn’t operate with regulations or requirements.
   

            It has truly discovered what Paul said (2 Cor 5:14) – that love constrains us (i.e.

            love sets the boundaries of what I do what I do not do). Love that flows from His

            presence brings a Godly harmony and order to our lives together. Zion is a free

            place!

4. 4.It’s like God has lifted the Holy of Holies out of Moses’ Tabernacle and placed it, without the rest of it’s surroundings, on Zion. In other words, the glorious Presence that was rare and difficult to access in Moses (only one individual, once every 365 days), had now become their easy and continuous focus. The Presence of Jesus is everything here.
   

            This is the greatest news any person on earth could hear – no matter what    

            nation, what religion, what philosophy, what life experiences they have on their

            resume – you were created to know and enjoy a happy friendship with the

            King of Love, His wonderful life and presence is available for at not cost to

            you.

            Zion – the happy free church – is on earth to announce that, to demonstrate that

            and to bring multitudes of people into the enjoyment of that – they are the joy of

            the whole earth!

We recently discussed a ‘reader’ in our Royalty Groups titled ‘Intimacy – Dwelling in God’s Glory’. We talked about some practical ways of experiencing a greater intimacy with God . . .

1. •it can be helpful to think of your time of prayer in two phases. The first phase being one of petition and the second phase being meditation.
   

1. •In the petition phase, we are casting our existing cares upon Him. We recall things that need to be handed over to Jesus:  as things come to mind, gently release them into the care of Jesus.
   

1. •Phase one is necessary because it deals with all the matters that try to distract our focus on Jesus and his love. That’s the second phase, the enjoyment of his presence.
   

1. •Once you’ve dealt with petitioning, start to focus explicitly on Jesus. Don’t try to force yourself into any particular state. Give yourself grace and do not be frustrated with yourself.
   

1. •It may help you to find a comfortable position in which to meditate upon him, but one where you will not fall asleep - some music might help; but remember, there are no external formulas here, just find what works best for you to practice God’s presence.
   

1. •Think about what you are feeling. Use your imagination to ‘observe’ a scene you know about Jesus from the gospels. Follow your ‘minds eye’ to see what Jesus may be unveiling for you.
   

1. •Wait and enjoy him. You won’t feel it’s perfect to start with, but keep practicing.