A “through the bible: devotion from Psalm 87.
Maybe you’ve seen those HGTV shows like “Love it or list it.” What do you do when your house no longer does it for you? Renovate for a changed lifestyle, or sell it and buy something else.
Psalm 87 answers that question for God regarding his house.
On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
the Lord loves the gates of Zion (Psalm 87:2)
The Lord loves this city! It’s not perfect. In fact, it’s a real mess sometimes. The bible recalls numerous remodeling jobs. It’s a target for both Assyrian and Babylonian attacks.
Of course, Zion is more than just a place. It’s God’s people. It’s a city filled with people who don’t listen, don’t care, and mostly think of themselves. They are led by unfaithful kings, reject prophets, and ally themselves with foreign nations. They talk a good game, but their hearts are far from God.
And God loves this place. Not because of them. Not because they have potential. Not because they will eventually come around. He loves it because it’s his. He designed it and built it. God loves it because of who he is.
In the New Testament, Paul will describe the church as a place for God’s spirit to dwell made up of people just like them and us. Yes, we’re a mess, we’re undependable, and we forget how much he’s done for us. And yet he loves us. He loves his church. He paid for her with his son’s life.
It’s a keeper. You and I are keepers, too. All because of him.
Waite for it... 