Dear Friends,
Today’s passage is about the City of God. Hmm… I wondered where is it? I read Psalm 48 over several times. I prayed and then asked the Lord speak to me. I am not a Bible scholar, though I attended Mt. Zion School of Ministry and graduated. I served for twenty years in active ministry at Mt. Zion Church in Clarkston, MI, under the direction of Pastors Loren Covarrubias, Jeanne Cagle, and Joe Milosic. I also took several courses at a Bible college twenty years ago. I know serve under Pastor Keith Jones as Youth Pastor/ Youth Director at Gulf Coast Church, in North Port, Fl. I have continued to study the scriptures. So, here is my take on the City of God.
The City of God is a promised place to God’s people. Abraham was looking for a city whose builder and maker was God (Hebrews 11:10). Though God’s presence is no longer housed in the Ark of the Covenant as it was carried from place to place or in the Tabernacle of David (in the Old Testament), the New Testament tells us that God dwells in our hearts. This is because God sent His Son into the world (John 3:16). If God lives in you and me, then the City of our God is within us. That is amazing. Reread Psalm 48 with new understanding and the additonal resource I posted below if you need it.
Zion is called the city of God. Isa 60:14: “and they shall call you The City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.” It is where the Lord has and will dwell again. Joel 3:21: “for the LORD dwells in Zion.” When the temple permanently replaced the tabernacle and was built in Jerusalem it became the place of his dwelling, his presence was there, thus name Zion.
Jesus instructed them to go to Jerusalem to receive the Holy Spirit, the place where the presence of God dwelt in the temple would now dwell in man (1 Cor. 3:16 and 2 Cor. 6:19) each individual believer’s body is a temple of God. Luke 24:49: "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (Act 1:4-5). (http://www.letusreason.org/Biblexp194.htm )
Psalm 48 -New Century Version (NCV)
Jerusalem, the City of God
A psalm of the sons of Korah.
1 The Lord is great; he should be praised
in the city of our God, on his holy mountain.
2 It is high and beautiful
and brings joy to the whole world.
Mount Zion is like the high mountains of the north;
it is the city of the Great King.
3 God is within its palaces;
he is known as its defender.
4 Kings joined together
and came to attack the city.
5 But when they saw it, they were amazed.
They ran away in fear.
6 Fear took hold of them;
they hurt like a woman having a baby.
7 You destroyed the large trading ships
with an east wind.
8 First we heard
and now we have seen
that God will always keep his city safe.
It is the city of the Lord All-Powerful,
the city of our God.
Selah
9 God, we come into your Temple
to think about your love.
10 God, your name is known everywhere;
all over the earth people praise you.
Your right hand is full of goodness.
11 Mount Zion is happy
and all the towns of Judah rejoice,
because your decisions are fair.
12 Walk around Jerusalem
and count its towers.
13 Notice how strong they are.
Look at the palaces.
Then you can tell your children about them.
14 This God is our God forever and ever.
He will guide us from now on.
in the city of our God, on his holy mountain.
2 It is high and beautiful
and brings joy to the whole world.
Mount Zion is like the high mountains of the north;
it is the city of the Great King.
3 God is within its palaces;
he is known as its defender.
4 Kings joined together
and came to attack the city.
5 But when they saw it, they were amazed.
They ran away in fear.
6 Fear took hold of them;
they hurt like a woman having a baby.
7 You destroyed the large trading ships
with an east wind.
8 First we heard
and now we have seen
that God will always keep his city safe.
It is the city of the Lord All-Powerful,
the city of our God.
Selah
9 God, we come into your Temple
to think about your love.
10 God, your name is known everywhere;
all over the earth people praise you.
Your right hand is full of goodness.
11 Mount Zion is happy
and all the towns of Judah rejoice,
because your decisions are fair.
12 Walk around Jerusalem
and count its towers.
13 Notice how strong they are.
Look at the palaces.
Then you can tell your children about them.
14 This God is our God forever and ever.
He will guide us from now on.
Please take the time to reflect and comment:
When you go to comment, you can choose anonymous and then sign your name at the end of you post, or you can set up a Google account. The first choice is easier! I recommend that you work in Word or Word Pad first; then copy and paste it in here. Feel free to email me @ illyguana@hotmail.com with any questions you still have or concerns. You can also send me a message in FB to Illy Reich!
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