There are two readings for today.

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 122
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity. [Psalm 122:6-9]
David loves the city of Jerusalem, not just as a city but as a symbol of God’s presence and power on earth.
He will do anything and everything for the peace and prosperity of God’s house (not just the temple but the whole city, and by extension the whole nation).
Even when the city is far from perfect?
Even when things are frustrating or discouraging?

As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. [Luke 19:41-43]
Jesus’ loves what Jerusalem and the temple represent too, and He earnestly desires their peace and prosperity… but here He weeps.
His tears are a sign of both His love and His frustration.
He loves the people, He hurts for those who hurt, but He also knows that their attitudes and actions are rebellious and selfish, and that God cannot bless them as they are.
He is painfully aware of the sin and immorality that has corrupted the people, and knows that their peace and prosperity cannot come as long as they are closed to God.
In fact, they are setting themselves up for a terrible ending.
But Jesus, like David, desires the peace and prosperity of God’s people, as well as for the whole world – and He is prepared to do anything and everything for them.
He not only prays for the peace, He dies for the peace.
He does not abandon them to their self-imposed misery, He joins them in it and finds a way to help them out of it.

Today I apply this to the church of Jesus on earth – the body of Jesus chosen to be His hands and feet in the world, agents of His love and blessing.
And yet I believe Jesus weeps over the church still today, how far from His purpose many of the churches have become.
But one thing I know, He does not give up on the church!
He weeps over the church, and sees the self-imposed suffering she brings on herself, but He also joins Himself to the church and helps them find a way out of it.
When we get frustrated by the church, do we quit, do we withdraw, do we withhold our effort or contribution?
Or do we, like David and Jesus, do anything and everything we can to help, to pray and work for the peace and prosperity of God’s frustrating but much-loved people?

PRAYER:
Lord, Your patience with me and the church is amazing. Help me to love the church like You do, and to pray and work for her peace and prosperity.