Pastor’s Ponderings for March
PASTOR’S PONDERINGS
In searching for ideas in writing these columns each month, one of the resources I sometimes consult is Wikipedia. I simply “Google” the name of the month, and then click on the Wikipedia article that comes up. Included in each of those articles is a calendar, and clicking on any of the days in any month brings up a list of events that occurred on that day in history, a second list of those who were born on that date, and a final list comprised of those who died on that date.
It is the second of those lists that brings Psalm 87.3-6 to mind.
Glorious things are said of you, O city of God:
“I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who
acknowledge me — Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush — and will say, `This one was born in Zion.’“
Indeed, of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one
were born in her, and the Most High himself will establish her.”
The LORD will write in the register of the peoples:
“This one was born in Zion.”
The Psalmist speaks of God’s list of people born, not on a specific date but in a specific place: the city of Zion. And what is more amazing is that those listed as born in Zion are not just the Covenant people, they are not just Jews. They are people usually considered the enemies of God’s people: the Egyptians, the Babylonians, the North Africans, and the Philistines. These, along with those from Tyre, a city and people group judged by God, are to be people included by God on His list of people born in Zion. How can that be? Is God speaking of bringing those people groups to Jerusalem and having their offspring born in captivity in His city?
In a way the answer is both yes and no. It is no, in that God is not speaking of literal birth, so He is not speaking of bringing any family or people group to the city of Jerusalem for the birth of their children—not even Jews, the Covenant people. But it is yes, in that He is speaking figuratively, both of Zion and of those who are born there. He is speaking of the Heavenly Zion, the City of God, the Spiritual City, and the spiritual birth of those born of the Holy Spirit, those born from above—those who know Him.
God’s plan has always been to include people from the whole world in His salvation—it is not just a New Testament idea. But, more importantly, God wants us to know what’s really important, and what should move us to joy: that our names are on His list. Jesus said it this way: “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven,” (Luke 10.20.) Trust in Christ—make certain that your name is indeed written in Heaven. And then choose to rejoice in that, it’s what really important. Jesus said so.
– Pastor Jim
