God Of The Nations
Opening Prayer
How good it is to say that I am born of God! Thank You, God, that I can boast that I belong to You.
Read Psalm 87
1 He has founded his city on the holy mountain.
2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.
3 Glorious things are said of you,
city of God:
4 “I will record Rahab and Babylon
among those who acknowledge me—
Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush—
and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’”
5 Indeed, of Zion it will be said,
“This one and that one were born in her,
and the Most High himself will establish her.”
6 The Lord will write in the register of the peoples:
“This one was born in Zion.”
7 As they make music they will sing,
“All my fountains are in you.”
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Of all of the “names” given to God in Scripture (e.g., Rock, Shepherd, Friend), which two mean the most to you right now?This is one of the many parts of Scripture where God’s heart for the whole world is revealed. It is true that God loved Zion (Jerusalem) (2), and put down roots there (1), but his presence was to become a magnet for the nations. In time a who’s who of the world’s powers will humbly come to acknowledge that the God of Zion is their God too (4).
God’s intention in calling Abraham was to form a great nation that would bless all the nations of the world (Gen. 12:1–3). Psalm 87 celebrates the fact that God’s plan is working!
Ultimately, God’s love for the world flowed through the gift of his Son (John 3:16), Israel’s King. The Christian church, made up of Jewish believers in Jesus and those from all the nations of the world, is the vision of this psalm coming to fulfillment.
Small wonder that “Glorious things” are said about Zion (3) as people today from all the nations sing in wonder that what bubbled up in Zion has now given them life (7).
Apply
As you worship with others today, take note of the nations that are present. In what ways do you worship differently or the same?
Closing prayer
Thank You, God, for the gift of life being received in all the nations of the world.
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