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Daily Devotion: Psalm 87:1-3

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Psalm 87:1-3    "His foundation is in the holy mountains.  (2)  The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.  (3)  Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah."

I go back to the 48th Psalm to bring my thoughts concerning Psalm 87.   "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.  (2)  Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.  (3)  God is known in her palaces for a refuge." (Psalm 48:1-3)

There is a definite connection between these verses. The foundation (beginning) of our fellowship with the Lord is in the Old Testament word, Zion. The New Testament meaning for Zion is the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is often said that a person can worship the Lord just as well on the river bank as in church. Though it is true that we can worship God wherever we might be, the Lord has decreed that we are to meet with Him in public worship assembled with other worshippers.

Why? The Lord loves "the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob."  Just a quick review of the man, Jacob. I know I have referred to him often and it is necessary for us to understand the importance of God's dealings with Jacob.  It was after Jacob's conversion that the Lord changed his name to Israel. Jacob, the old man, represents our carnal nature. Israel, the new man, represents our spiritual nature after the new birth and conversion. The Lord loves our spiritual nature more than all the dwellings of our carnal nature. So, can we worship at the river bank? Yes, but only when in the spiritual mind.  It is too likely that we are exalting nature more than the Creator while in that setting. God has told us to assemble ourselves together with others of the same heart and mind in order to enjoy that foundation of fellowship with Him.

I went back to Psalm 48 so we can understand that foundation (beginning) of worship and fellowship. "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised." The most beautiful place to praise the Lord is in the Old Testament place called Zion or the New Testament place called the church. "God is known in her palaces for a refuge." "The LORD loveth the gates of Zion."  Should we not want to be in the place where the Lord loves in order to better show our love for Him?

As a side note, just now in my own experience - Not being able to attend worship services leaves a great void inside of me. I watch some of the Facebook Live worship services and I'm thankful for them. But it is not the same as being surrounded by like-minded children of God who love the Lord and love each other. I encourage each one to be diligent in church attendance and worship of the Lord.

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