God seems to have a thing for togetherness. The LU factor, or “let us,” phrase is mentioned and widely paired with many activities throughout the Bible. If I was a loner and knew nothing about God, (but then discovered Him for the first time), I would find His “bias” for clustering distinctive. He seems to be about relationship: Him to us, us to Him, us to others, all to Him.
Psalm 122 is a good example and contains one of the many “let us” verses. In particular, this Psalm specifies people making pilgrimages to “the house of the Lord.”
“I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord.” The Psalm goes on to list other various multiples; tribes of the Lord, a city compacted together, thrones, peace and prosperity within walls and palaces, brethren, and companion.
The ending reads somewhat like a benediction, “For my brethren and companion’s sake, I will now say, Peace be within you! For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek, inquire for, and require your good.”
What a wonderful thing to hold as a standard! Do we practice this anymore? Not just seeking good for ourselves, or our specific church denomination, or our cluster of faith friends, BUT seeking, inquiring and requiring the good of all the house of the Lord our God! The verses imply wanting good for a quantity and not just a desire for a personal blessing.
The LU factor….
Here are some other familiar “let us” verses.
“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” Genesis 1:26
“The shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” Luke 2:15
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find ….” Hebrews 4:16
“Beloved, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7 NLT
“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18 NIV
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” Hebrews 12:1
“Come, let us tell of the LORD’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:3
“Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the LORD our maker.” Psalm 95:6 NLT
Humans were made to be together on this earth. Not just in the common links of marriage and parenting but society and community-wise, too. Sure, we can do singular and solo activities, but it seems we were made to carry out our daily lives in the company of others.
Sometimes the only “other” we can find to walk beside us is God.
It turns out, however, that having God is the best “other” we could pick, and partnership benefits with Him never end.
My prayer
Thank you God for never leaving or forsaking us. Thank you for being with us through rough waters. Thank you for sharing Your wisdom, grace and strength through Jesus. Thank you for the “rescues” You provide all our life long. Help us to see, trust, and worship you. Amen
Can you think of any more good “let us” verses? If so, write them to me in a comment.