Tags
city, city of God, fortress, God, Jerusalem, Mount Zion, Psalm 48, the LORD
I will praise Him!
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Via-Dolorosa in Jerusalem — photo courtesy of Lois Morrow
The City of the Great King
04 Saturday Mar 2017
Posted in Psalms, Saturday's Psalm
Tag Archives: city
In Praise of Zion
29 Monday Aug 2016
Tags
city, city of God, home town, Ottawa, Ottawa River, the LORD, Zion
Reading: Psalm 87
Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song.
He has founded his city on the holy mountain.
The LORD loves the gates of Zion
more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you,
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.”
As they make music they will sing,
“All my fountains are in you” (NIV).
Reflection
Do you love your hometown? I hope you do. I certainly love my hometown, or to be more accurate, my home city. I live in Ottawa, Canada’s capital city. Though I wasn’t born or raised in Ottawa, I chose to live here. There’s a lot to love about Ottawa. Like any major world capital, there are plenty of grand museums, galleries, historic buildings and monuments. But I think it’s their situation or setting that makes the city so attractive.
Sunset across the Ottawa River — photo by David Kitz
Ottawa is situated at the juncture point of three rivers. The scenic Rideau River winds its way through the city from the south before it plunges into the Ottawa River at the Rideau Falls. On the north shore of the Ottawa River the Gatineau River makes its entry after passing through the rugged Gatineau Hills. With three scenic rivers there’s an abundance of city parks and green space.
According to the psalmist, the LORD loves his hometown too. The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the other dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are said of you, city of God.
During the Old Testament era the LORD chose to dwell in Zion the citadel within Jerusalem. It was David who first brought the Ark of the Covenant to Zion after one of his successful military campaigns. (See 2 Samuel 6.) From that time forward Jerusalem has been called the city of God. It became the city of God because God dwelt there. In due course, His temple was built there.
What about your city or town? Does God dwell there? What truly makes a place remarkable or special is the One who lives there. The presence of God can turn a hut or a humble stable into the portal to heaven. If Jesus is enthroned in your heart then God is truly with you. He is in your city.
Response: LORD God, my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for being so personal—so intimate with me. I want to honor and serve you in my community. Amen.
Your Turn: What do you like most about your community/city?
City of Peace
26 Thursday May 2016
Posted in Psalms, Thursday's Thought
Tags
Your home is on Mount Zion in the city of peace (Psalm 76:2, CEV).
Koranke, Japan — a place of peace — photo by David Kitz
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is cities.
Do you dwell in a city of peace? Cities can be places of violence and crime. But we all want peace and security. Today’s verse from the Psalms speaks about God’s city of peace.
Your home is on Mount Zion in the city of peace (Psalm 76:2, CEV).
Where God is there is peace. If you and I have been reconciled with God, we have the peace of Christ in our hearts. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7, NIV).
God’s city of peace is more than a geographic location where there is no conflict. We can experience the peace of God because Jesus has brought us peace with God by wiping away our sins. Jesus’ peace surpasses anything the world has to offer because it comes from beyond this world.
Will you take some time today to bask in that peace?
Response: LORD God, I thank you today for the peace that Jesus purchased for me on the cross. I can be at rest because my guilt is gone and my eternity is secure in your city of peace. Amen.
Your Turn: What do you do to maintain the peace of Christ in your life?
Rebuilding the City
25 Wednesday May 2016
Posted in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms
Tags
bombing campaign, city, city of Zion, Japan, prayers, rebuilding, Yokohama
You will rebuild the city of Zion.
Your glory will be seen, and the prayers of the homeless will be answered (Psalm 102:16-17, CEV).
Yokohoma, Japan — photo by David Kitz
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is cities.
Last year on this date we returned home to Canada after a three-week stay in Japan. One of the cities we visited was Yokohama. At the end of World War II, Yokohama like many Japanese cities lay in ruins due to the American bombing campaign. As you can see from the photo above, there is no evidence of that destruction visible today.
Today’s verse from the Psalms speaks about God rebuilding a city.
You will rebuild the city of Zion. Your glory will be seen, and the prayers of the homeless will be answered (Psalm 102:16-17, CEV).
This verse reminds us that God gets behind rebuilding projects. He rebuilt the city of Zion after Babylonian invaders destroyed it. But God’s love is not confined to the people of ancient Israel. Through the mercy and redeeming sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God’s love is now available to all—to people of every nation under the sun.
God is in the business of rebuilding cities and broken lives.
Response: LORD God, the enemy has laid waste to areas of my life, my city and my country. But you are building a home of righteousness. I want to be part of your great building project. Amen.
Your Turn: Is there something that needs rebuilding in your life or community?
Built by the LORD
24 Tuesday May 2016
Posted in Psalms, Tuesday's Truth
Zion was built by the LORD
on the holy mountain,
and he loves that city
more than any other place
in all of Israel (Psalm 87:1-2, CEV).
Bleeding hearts – photo by David Kitz
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is cities.
A simple definition of a city is a large built up area inhabited by people and the enterprises they operate. Just as ants build anthills, people build cities. But today’s verse from the Psalms tells us that the LORD built a city.
Zion was built by the LORD on the holy mountain, and he loves that city more than any other place in all of Israel (Psalm 87:1-2, CEV).
Did King David build Zion and make it his capital, or did the LORD build the city? Elsewhere in Psalms we read: Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain (Psalm 127:1, NIV).
It would seem that the LORD wants to be involved in human society and He is the driving force behind everything good that we do. He is the Creator, the Builder and the Savior of the city.
Response: LORD God, open my eyes to see how you are building the city in which I live. Help me play an effective role in what you are doing. Jesus, you are Lord of all. Amen.
Your Turn: How is the God working in your city or community? What is He building?
The City Where He Lives
23 Monday May 2016
Posted in Monday Meditation, Psalms
The LORD God is wonderful! He deserves all praise in the city where he lives.
His holy mountain, beautiful and majestic,
brings joy to all on earth (Psalm 48:1-2, CEV).
City park crabapple blossoms — photo by Karen Kitz
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is cities.
Where does God live? That’s a simple question, but answers are many and varied. The most common answer is that God lives in heaven. But many say that Jesus lives in their heart. Today’s verse from Psalms declares that the LORD lives in the city, specifically on Mount Zion in the heart of Jerusalem.
The LORD God is wonderful! He deserves all praise in the city where he lives. His holy mountain, beautiful and majestic, brings joy to all on earth (Psalm 48:1-2, CEV).
So does God still live in Jerusalem or was this verse only true during the Old Testament period? Does the LORD live in your city?
Paul, the apostle, has this to say on the topic: You surely know that your body is a temple where the Holy Spirit lives. The Spirit is in you and is a gift from God. You are no longer your own (1 Corinthians 6:19).
If you are inhabited by God through the presence of the Holy Spirit, then you bring that presence to the city where you live. What an awesome privilege and responsibility!
Response: LORD God, I want the fullness of your presence to dwell in me. Let me bring the joy of the Lord to a city that is weary and searching for meaning. Amen.
Your Turn: Are you conscious of God’s presence in your life?
What thoughts find lodging in your heart?
15 Wednesday Jul 2015
Reading: Psalm 55
(Verses 9-15)
Lord, confuse the wicked; confound their words,
for I see violence and strife in the city.
Day and night they prowl about on its walls;
malice and abuse are within it.
Destructive forces are at work in the city;
threats and lies never leave its streets.
If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it;
if a foe were rising against me, I could hide.
But it is you, a man like myself,
my companion, my close friend,
with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship
at the house of God,
as we walked about among the worshipers.
Let death take my enemies by surprise;
let them go down alive to the realm of the dead,
for evil finds lodging among them (NIV).
Reflection
My wife and I are currently on a road trip through western Canada. Today I am in Edmonton, a growing, prosperous city of more than a million. Last evening after a passing thunderstorm, I went by myself for a walk in the Mill Creek Ravine. There in the cool of the evening I was surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation. After the heat of the day, it was a quiet place of refreshing.
Mill Creek Ravine, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Sad to say, my wife would not dare go for a walk by herself in Mill Creek Ravine. You see, last week in broad daylight a woman was attacked there by a sexual predator. Earlier in the day I had gone to a nearby bank branch to use an ATM. At the bank, a repairman was replacing a shattered window pane and the front door had been kicked in—presumably an attempted robbery.
In cities today the words of Psalm 55 ring true. I see violence and strife in the city. Day and night they prowl about on its walls; malice and abuse are within it. Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets.
Edmonton is no more dangerous than any large city. In fact, it is far safer than most North American cities of comparable size, nevertheless, evil finds lodging here. Evil leaps across geographic boundaries and crosses cultural and racial barriers. Evil finds lodging wherever a human heart entertains hatred, greed or lust. Jesus said that all manner of wickedness flows out from the heart. See Matthew 15:19.
The question I need to ask myself is what finds lodging in my heart. Do I open the door to the evil one, to resentment and bitterness? Or do I turn those thoughts away and invite Jesus in?
Response: LORD God, I want you to find lodging in my heart through Jesus Christ your Son. Amen.
Your Turn: Do you live in a safe city or neighborhood? Take a moment to pray for your city.
My Cityscape
22 Wednesday Apr 2015
Posted in Psalm 48
Tags
adversity, Chicago, city, city of God, cityscapes, God, Montreal, Parliament Buildings, Psalm 48, Psalms, Vancouver, Washington DC, Zion
Reading: Psalm 48
(Verses 9-14)
Within your temple, O God,
we meditate on your unfailing love.
Like your name, O God,
your praise reaches to the ends of the earth;
your right hand is filled with righteousness.
Mount Zion rejoices,
the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments.
Walk about Zion, go around her,
count her towers,
consider well her ramparts,
view her citadels,
that you may tell of them
to the next generation.
For this God is our God for ever and ever;
he will be our guide even to the end (NIV).
Reflection
Have you watched a television newscast recently? Invariably at some point during that telecast you will see a cityscape—a grand view of the city skyline in all its glory. If experts from Montreal, Vancouver or Chicago are being interviewed, they will appear against the backdrop of a large photo of their city. Routinely, sports telecasts feature brief live shots of the arena and the host city’s downtown.
Parliament of Canada, Ottawa, ON — David Kitz
Why do broadcasters go to the trouble of filming these cityscapes and providing these skyline backdrops? A good part of the answer is identification. We identify a city by its skyline and by its landmark buildings and towers. Washington, D.C. is intimately linked to pictures of the Capitol, Ottawa with the Parliament Buildings and Toronto with the CN Tower. When the twin towers of the World Trade Center were destroyed, New York mourned not only the loss of lives, but also the loss of its identity—the twin icons of its identity.
Psalm 48 is the Bible’s version of a cityscape telecast. Read the psalmist’s call: Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers, consider well her ramparts, view her citadels that you may tell of them to the next generation.
What is the psalmist asking us to do? He is asking us to identify with the city of God. What makes Zion unique in the earth is the presence of God within her. The psalmist clearly stated, “God is in her citadels.” Is God within you? Is He reigning in your heart and mind? Is He the master of your affections? Have you had landmark experiences with God that changed the course of your life? Have you climbed towers of prayer? Have you stood guard on the ramparts of your mind? Then with conviction you can say with the psalmist, “For this God is our God forever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.”
Response: LORD God, reign in me. Establish your capital in my heart. Govern my ways, now and forever more. Amen.
Your Turn: Has Jesus come to rule your heart?
I love the Psalms 