Psalm 87:1-7

Patriotism is a wonderful yet uncomfortable thing.  Americans tend to be a very patriotic people.  We fly flags, set of amazing firework displays all over the nation on July 4th and we sing our national anthem on multiple occasions.  Americans are proud of being Americans.  That is a wonderful thing as long as you are in America; however, that patriotism becomes kind of uncomfortable when you live in a foreign country.  That pride in country often comes across as arrogance and it makes others very uncomfortable.  Today’s Psalm is a very patriotic one as the sons of Korah declare God’s love for the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem.  All who live in Israel have a great appreciation for this Psalm.  Those who live in New York, São Paulo or Bagdad might look at it in a different light.  There are at least two reasons that God loves this city.

JERUSALEM IS LOCATED IN A SPECIAL PLACE: There are many nations and many cities, but Jerusalem is a special city.  It is the sight of the temple in the Old Testament and it is the sight of the crucifixion in the New Testament.  More importantly, it is the place to which Christ will return on that glorious day in the future when He returns to this earth.  God loves this city and has special plans for this very special place.  There are many great cities on the planet and others may arise in the future, but none of them will every have the significance and prominence that Jerusalem has.


JERUSALEM IS THE BIRTHPLACE OF SPECIAL PEOPLE: The Psalm tells us that there are special people that were born there.  Zion may refer to more than just the city of Jerusalem itself and in this cast extend to the nation of Israel as a whole.  David and Jesus were not born in Jerusalem, but were born in Bethlehem, however both of them a greatly associated with the city of Jerusalem.  Most of the kings were born in this city and many of the prophets were from this city.    

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Isaiah 54:1-17

Hope is a wonderful blessing from God, without which we would be vulnerable to all kinds of destructive tendencies in our lives.  Today’s society is marked by depression, anger, fear, anxiety and self-righteousness, in large part, because of the sense of hopelessness that prevails in our culture.  Isaiah writes to a people who are about to be taken into captivity because of their sin.  God knows that they will feel rejected, threatened and hopeless so He reveals His future plans for the nation in order to give them hope in the midst of the coming trial.  Hope is the expectation of good based upon the promises of God.  Many times when our lives are marked by the sins mentioned above it is because we have forgotten or failed to focus upon the promises of God’s Word. THE PROMISE OF GOD: From the very first day that God revealed His plan for the nation of Israel, He promised numerous descendants.  God chose Abraham, not because he was more righteous than a...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:3-7

I thank God   whom I serve, as did my ancestors,   with a clear conscience, as I remember you   constantly in my prayers night and day.    As I remember your tears,   I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.    I am reminded of   your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and   your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.    For this reason I remind you   to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us   a spirit not of fear but   of power and love and self-control. It is easy for us to forget many important things especially in the face of difficulty or danger.  Paul is in prison and Timothy is facing difficult times in ministry so there are important reminders that Paul wants to make sure that Timothy understands.  God has given us everything we need to face the difficulties He allows i...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:8-14

Therefore   do not be ashamed of   the testimony about our Lord, nor of   me his prisoner, but   share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,   who saved us and   called us to a holy calling,   not because of our works but because of   his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus   before the ages began, and which now has   been manifested through   the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,   who abolished death and   brought life and   immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But   I am not ashamed, for   I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until   that day   what has been entrusted to me.  Follow   the pattern of   the sound words   that you have heard from me, in   the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ...
Read more