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Day 294

Psalm 87:5b "This one and that one were born in her..."

Day 294 – Psalm 87

“This one and that one were born in her…” Psalm 87:5b

TAKING PRIDE IN BELONGING TO GREAT COUNTRIES

People took great pride in belonging to mighty nations. The following countries had nationals who took pride in belonging to Egypt, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre and Ethiopia. Why were they proud citizens?

1. Because their nations were powerful.

2. Because of their success in war and commerce.

TAKING PRIDE IN BELONGING TO ZION

The children of Israel seemed to have little reason to take pride in their national heritage. They always seemed to be weaker. They were constantly being bullied and oppressed by mightier nations. The sons of Korah wrote to encourage the children of Israel to find fresh hope and joy in belonging to Zion, the city of God.

“‘This one was born there.’
And of Zion it will be said,
‘This one and that one were born in her;
And the Most High Himself shall establish her.'”
Psalm 87:4c-5

1. “And of Zion it will be said”

a) Twice this phrase was repeated.
b) The first without reference to Zion (Jerusalem).
c) The second with definite reference to Zion.

2. “This one and that one were born in her”

a) One may still find special joy in being born in Zion.
b) Though Zion may be small in comparison to the mighty nations!

3. “And the Most High Himself shall establish her”

a) The other nations may be mightier… but only for a while.
b) They were finally destroyed because God did not establish them.
c) But with reference to Zion, this was the glorious promise that God would establish her children.