“There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for Mine anointed.” Psalm 132:17
In one of David’s great psalms concerning worship, and the testimony of God as a result of such worship, he writes of finding “…a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.” (Ps. 132:5) He speaks of Jerusalem, but also indirectly of the temple to be built there. God’s promise to David with regard to Jerusalem, or Zion, was this: “For the Lord hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for His habitation. This is My rest forever: here will I dwell, for I have desired it.” (Ps. 132:13,14) Zion was a hill within Jerusalem, designated as a holy place. It is that pinnacle of places on the entire earth, where God has associated His name and presence with it. Why? It is there that true worship, the worship of the true and living God was to occur. Out of that worship would come the blessing of God. God’s promise was: “I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.” (132:15,16) In other words, God will provide abundantly for her needs both physical and spiritually. There will be, because of His blessing, and manifest presence, His peace and joy. But there is another blessing, which will result in the world coming to grips with the reality of His presence and power. It will be the throne of David, and his authority, the unveiling of the kingdom of God, according to the law and word of God. That structure of authority, and its consequent blessing, will be a testimony to the world of the goodness, mercy, and holiness of God. The Lord’s promise to this effect is that He would make the “horn of David to bud.” God’s authority would be revealed through the kingship of David. It would be established, and it would flourish. Not only this, but the glory of God would be revealed in that place, ordained by God, to be a “lamp for Mine anointed.” The lamp was the instrument by which the golden oil, the anointing oil would be burn, the light being a testimony and witness to the entire world of the mercy, grace, and goodness of God.
In the book of Revelation, we find that the Lord Jesus addresses the church in Ephesus, commending them for their works of labor, patience, and faithfulness to sound doctrine. He also commends them for their stedfastness in the face of oppressive need all around them. But then He says a remarkable thing in the form of a quiet, but very strong rebuke: “Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou has left thy first love.” (2:4) Here is this Ephesian church, laboring, well-intentioned, and faithful, but lacking the most essential element of all in their worship and service unto God. It is that personal love and devotion to Christ that they have been neglecting, that first work which is the basis for all else. So important is this matter, that the Lord, who has already designated every church as a “candlestick,”or lampstand, says, “…Remember from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works: or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, exept thou repent.” (2:5) Ephesus, in one sense is like Zion, that holy hill, place of worship and testimony to the world, ordained by God, and endued with great and wonderful promises. However, like Jerusalem of old, Ephesus also can neglect the first thing in the eyes of God, something so important that if not rectified, the entire “candlestick” can and will be quickly removed. The witness and service for Christ, ordained by God to be abundantly revealed in the world through His people by the Spirit, is only possible when communion with Christ is paramount, and guarded incessantly. The personal, and individual love of the believer for Christ, is the believer’s highest privilege and obligation.
Dear Father, Love powerfully through us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.