THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
Psalm 87:1-7
Acts 13:26

“… wait upon the LORD …”

“GLORIOUS THINGS OF THEE ARE SPOKEN, ZION, CITY OF OUR GOD”

When Israel entered the Promised Land, they were commanded to pitch the Tabernacle at Shiloh in Ephraim, and there they were to worship. The Tabernacle rested at Shiloh from Joshua to Eli, when the Ark was captured by the Philistines. Though returned to Israel it was kept in the house of Abinadab (1 Sam 7:1).

When David became king, he brought the Ark into Jerusalem. In Jerusalem was the Temple to be built as appointed of the Lord. In Zion, which is David’s palace in Jerusalem, and its precincts, is God’s House to be established. That’s the reason why Zion, or Jerusalem, is loved above all other cities of Israel. The centre of worship for all Israel is here. This is the Holy City of all God’s people. Returnees to Israel today go first of all to Jerusalem. Christian pilgrims must see Jerusalem also for here our Lord was crucified and rose again the third day.

Psalm 87:1 tells us that Jerusalem is built in the holy mountains. As one comes from the coast inland one beholds from afar how beautiful for situation is the Holy City. Set on a mountain 2,600 feet above the sea, it soars above the land around it. Spiritually Jerusalem also is above all other cities of Israel for here is the dwelling house of the Lord.

To be born in Jerusalem where the Lord is is truly blessed, yea, even to be born again in the Church of God. We who are born of God are of such nobler birth as not to be compared with those born in such a heathen land as Philistia, Tyre and Ethiopia. O what blessing to be born in a Christian family, where there is the light of salvation imparted in our infancy so as to bring us into God’s family from the beginning of our young life, whereby our names are written in heaven.

THOUGHT: (Read Psalm 87:2.)
PRAYER: I thank Thee, Lord, that I am in Thy family.