“I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
Our feet are standing
in your gates, O, Jerusalem” (Ps 122:1, 2)

After a long and difficult climb, we have now arrived at our mountain shelter. The very sight of it brings tears of gratitude and joy to our hearts. God provides His house for the pilgrims so that they can come and rest from their daily labor, refresh in His presence, show their gratitude for all He has done and meet with other believers who walk the same path of life.
Coming to fellowship with the brethren in the presence of the Holy Spirit should be the holy duty of every believer. It is good to come to church during the week, but it is even more important to attend the Sabbath (Sunday) morning service. God commands us to keep the Sabbath day holy, to make it a special time of fellowship with Him. Ignoring this command meant death in the past.
Question: how do you feel when you wake up on Sunday morning and you remember that today is ‘church time’? Are you happy and excited or not? Are you going because of religious duty, a sense of guilt or for fear of punishment? Just in case you have forgotten, God looks at the heart and the motives of our actions are more important to Him than the action itself.

The Jews were commanded by God to come to Jerusalem, to the Temple, at least three times a year for the holy festivals. Jerusalem is high on Mount Zion so going there meant going up. Climbing My Zion was not easy but the pilgrims were happy to make the long trek up the hill. The temple, the house of God meant rest, refreshing, the joy of obedience and the hope of greater things. This is the general plan of the House of God.
The House of God in Psalm 122 is a wonderful place with seven rooms. It can also be described as the home base of Mrs. Wisdom, which she built high on a hill, overlooking the city in the valley. Her house has seven pillars connected with the foundation built on the Rock, which is Christ (PV 9:1-6). The following are the names of the seven rooms or the seven pillars: Standing and Security; Judgment (of sin) and Joy; Prosperity, Peace and Praise. (For easy remembrance of the rooms, especially for the new -comers, there are 2-S, 2-J and 3-P)

STANDING ROOM
This is the first room in the House of God. All over the walls it is written: Welcome! We have been climbing the mountain for a quite some time. We now arrive at the House of God and for the first time since the beginning of the journey, our feet are now horizontal, standing secure in the gate of the Temple.
The word ‘standing’ in Hebrew means to come to the place of appointment and confirmation. It is a place to be established, to abide securely and safely. No more shaking or fear of falling. This is a place from where backsliding is impossible. When I was down in the valley of the world, I saw this house and this room from afar. I was jealous of them who could enter. I did not imagine that one day my feet will be planted on this Rock. This is the spot I was searching for, where I can put down roots, where I can lay the foundation of my mansion. From here I can grow wings and start rising up in the fullness of Christ!

My dream is just beginning…All glory to God!