Have you ever broken out in song and dance just because you know God loves you?

The Zion of Psalm 87 isn’t the Zion we first encounter in Israel’s story. In Samuel II, Zion referred to a specific mountain, Mount Zion, near Jerusalem, on which stood a Jebusite fortress of the same name. David captured Zion and re-named it the city of David. Over time, Zion came to designate the area of Jerusalem where the fortress stood.

Hundreds of years later, Zion refers to Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem and to Jerusalem itself. Zion has become the spiritual point from which the spirit and culture of a people emerge. And this spiritual point rests in the heart of the temple – in the Holy of Holies – where God’s presence resides.

The authors of Psalm 87 tell us why Zion is that spiritual point:
–    The LORD built it (verse 1)
–    He loves that city more than any other place (verse 2)
–    It is the city of God (verse 3)
–    Wonderful things are told about it (verse 4)
–    People of all nations call it home (verses 4 – 6)
–    God strengthens it (verse 5)
–    God welcomes all who know it (verse 6)

This text leads us to Jesus, God’s beloved son with whom God is well pleased. And in Jesus, God builds, loves, delights over and strengthens you. In Jesus, God invites you to make him home.

Put on your dancing shoes.

Immanuel, God-with-us, you came so that we would know, beyond a doubt, how much your Father loves us. Help us to fully know that love so that we, in turn, may boldly make that love known to the nations. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

By Renee James