Born Citizens

The Psalms can be confusing. Number 87 is one that could appear so. It praises Jerusalem as a glorious place, a beautiful city adored by God over all others. In the Old Testament, this is true. No place housed the presence of God like Jerusalem. But under the New Covenant this Psalm becomes a prophetic look at the New City being established by the new birth experience.

The Psalmist calls us to behold the new city of Zion, the heavenly city that will come down to Earth.




Psalm 87:5 (ESV) And of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in her”; for the Most High himself will establish her.

They will be members of that city because they were "born there." That is what Jesus talks about with Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." John 3:5.

 Who does it? The Lord Himself. Jesus is the one who brings us into the new city, establishes and protects us, brings us home to God. These are your promises in Christ, never let the enemy rob you of the security you have in Christ!

 It's wonderful to be home. You have to away for a while to realize it however. I remember traveling overseas for 3 weeks. By the end of week two I was completely miserable. I dreamed of arriving back in the States and when I finally did, I literally kissed the ground. There really is no place like home.

 I remember the one thing I hated most was the inability to do many things.
I couldn't drive as this country drove on the other side. I was out of sorts.
I couldn't draw money from the ATM without a huge fee. 
I couldn't call anyone because of the enormous cost it would incur to our hosts.
I was at the mercies of my exile.

 One of the things this Psalm mentions is citizenship:




Psalm 87:6 (ESV) 6 The Lord records as he registers the peoples, “This one was born there.” Selah

With Christ comes citizenship and with citizenship comes privilege and rights! The power to do things. We have that power now in Him. Power to walk in Truth and see the wonders of God in our lives. Never discount who you are and what you can do in Christ! It's a wonderful privilege to be God's people, chosen and redeemed. A new nation!

 And glorious things are said about you.

 Ephesians 2:19 (ESV) you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,




Philippians 3:20 (NLT) But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.



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