Trinity Daily Devotion

“You Have Arrived; this is Mount Zion”
Dr. Loretta Young-Wright
Hebrews 12: 18-23 NIV

“You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”

In Hebrews 12: 18-23, the writer offers a descriptive contrast between Israel’s old and new relationships with God. First, presenting the tumultuous nature of Mount Sinai, then Mount Zion is presented as a desirable setting that leaves no reason to consider other options. These were the two covenant relationships that Israel had with God. The encounter at Mount Zion represents God’s assurance of a great host of witnesses, and a top-shelf experience for those who accept God’s divinity while seeking a Godly relationship. Mount Zion is not punitive nor harsh; it allows God’s love to flow with goodness and mercy as the host. It is a God-filled place where joy exists in contrast to ambiguity and adversity.

Can you remember the excitement of planning a long-awaited vacation, maybe to Disney or Paris or going to a family reunion? Think about the joyful feelings of anticipation when you arrived at your destination. Then to have your experience become all that you dreamed, WOW! The sense of wonder, the intrigue is so uplifting. This scripture is telling believers that Mount Zion should be the desired spiritual destination. Mount Zion is no ordinary place; it is the pinnacle of the Christian experience, offering an all-inclusive shared experience in God’s presence. It is a unique opportunity and offers the very best to complete a life’s journey! The writer shared the exception, “You have come to Mount Zion”.

When you recall your best vacation, it will pale in comparison to a relationship with God that is unbreakable even when life experiences become challenging. Mount Zion is where God resides, a transparent community where everyone is on one accord and where you know the terms and conditions that make such a place possible upfront. God loves you.

PRAYER:
Lord, help me to understand my Mount Zion relationship with You.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:
I am grateful for the love of God.

Giving Grateful Praise
Beyond Grateful Regina
Psalm 100:1-8 (NIV)

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

By definition, "grateful" means feeling or showing thanks for benefits received.

2026 has been God demonstrating God's full benefit package to me. For example, God has given me internal blessings such as being filled with joy, hope, and peace through both comfortable and uncomfortable situations. God has opened the windows of heaven and showered me with external blessings, such as a loving community and powerful prayer partners who continue to empower me to be my best self. I am beyond grateful!

Psalm 100 is a fitting climax to the collection of royal psalms (93, 95–100) and sums up their emphasis on God's sovereign rule, God's goodness to God's people, the responsibility of all nations to acknowledge God, and the importance of God's people exalting and worshipping God. We can easily understand the people of Israel shouting joyfully in praise to their great God (vv. 3, 5), but the psalmist calls for all the nations of the earth to praise God.

Worship leads to service, and true service is worship. How is this possible? Check out verse 3: "Know that the Lord is God." The verb "know" in this context means "to know by experience." This verse is a simple statement of faith: Jehovah is God, Creator, Redeemer, and Shepherd, and we are to submit to God.

Psalm 100 also invites us to join the procession of worshippers who reached the gates of the sanctuary and burst into songs of praise. Why are they so jubilant, so full of joy? Because of God's goodness, mercy (lovingkindness), faithfulness, and reliability. Simply put, gratitude must become our attitude so we can soar to great heights above the enemies of darkness.

PRAYER:
God, we are growing weary as the attacks on our community become more and more intensified. Please shift our weariness to an attitude of gratitude for all God is, all God has been, and all God has promised God shall be. Help us pause and take time to embrace our past, honor our ancestors' fortitude, and nurture our complete trust in God's forever love and faithfulness. Please, God, do it for us!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Praise GOD from whom all blessings flow!!!