Entrance to Zion

 Psalm 87 - Glorious Things of You Are Spoken

[1] On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
[2] the LORD loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
[3] Glorious things of you are spoken,
O city of God. Selah
[4] Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon;
behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush—
“This one was born there,” they say.
[5] And of Zion it shall be said,
“This one and that one were born in her”;
for the Most High himself will establish her.
[6] The LORD records as he registers the peoples,
“This one was born there.” Selah
[7] Singers and dancers alike say,
“All my springs are in you.”

I read this Psalm in my quiet time yesterday, and it stopped me in my tracks. It was one of those incredibly simplistic but beautiful reminders of how good our God is. One of the most common questions asked when meeting a new person is, "Where are you from?" In Jesus' days, people were often identified by the city they were born in. "Jesus of Nazareth", "Joseph of Arimathea", etc. Knowing where you are from was very prevalent. I'm reminded of how censuses used to be taken. Every person returning to the city they were born in to be registered. In light of this, these verses are even sweeter.

The psalmist speaks of Zion, the City of the Lord. "Glorious things" are spoken of the treasures within; it's the city of the Lord, after all! But the best part is, we as Gentiles have an invitation to enter! It is not just the Jews who get to enjoy this city, but all people. Because when you are born again into the Living Hope that is Christ Jesus, you gain access to God's heavenly kingdom. We too shall be counted citizens of Zion. Just as verse 6 tells us, the Lord Himself will register our names, and when He comes across mine He will not glance over it because I was not born into a Jewish family. He will nod and say, "This one was born there." And permit me to enter His heavenly city. And because such a beautiful gift was bought at such a precious price, I will join the singers and dancers on the streets proclaiming that all my springs--my strength, my hope, my purpose, my joy--are found in Him.