Today’s passage: Psalm 87
Helpful thoughts:
- “Rahab” is another word that was used to refer to Egypt during those times. All those mentioned in verse 4 are nations/cities surrounding Israel that will one day worship the Lord in Zion, happily recognizing the Lord’s favor for Israel and Jerusalem.
- Zion will be established because the Most High Himself has set His love on her. This is a work of gracious love, ultimately made possible through sacrifice.
- The “springs” are sources of joy, blessing, and life. All our “springs” are from the Lord.
Questions to consider:
- Why won’t those from Gentile nations be offended that God did not choose Cairo, Beirut, even Mecca…or Grand Rapids over Jerusalem? What will be true of all worshipers of Yahweh in that day? (1 Corinthians 15:50-58)
- What would have been important for the Jews to remember about their homeland, or even their hometown (Being born in Jerusalem)? What are we prone to do when we hear that we are pretty special in some way? Are we humbled by that or do our heads start to swell? Why are you a Christian? Why will you share in this eternal inheritance?
- How can the promises of God’s covenants encourage us through the hardships of our time? How do the troubles of our day compare or fit into the big picture of world history? Where is world history trending toward? Who wins? And…how great is our God that He also cares about our daily concerns and desires for us to cast those daily cares on Him?