Corona Devo 1266
Ever gotten one of those gorgeous-blue-ocean, white-sandy-beach travel brochures in the mail, or glimpse one online? Just gazing at that glossy gallery of palm trees and pristine sand whisks my mind away. I can hear the Caribbean steel drums playing, and I want to be there.
This city is special. God says so (over and over) and one day, I want to be there.
What's the address? Where do I want to book a Bible vacation? Jerusalem.
Let's visit there together today, as we take a tour through God's Word and see what He has to say about Jerusalem.
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How great is the Lord, how deserving of praise, in the city of our God, which sits on his holy mountain!
(2) It is high and magnificent; the whole earth rejoices to see it! Mount Zion, the holy mountain, is the city of the great King!
(3) God himself is in Jerusalem’s towers, revealing himself as its defender.
(4) The kings of the earth joined forces and advanced against the city. (5) But when they saw it, they were stunned; they were terrified and ran away. (6) They were gripped with terror and writhed in pain like a woman in labor.
(7) You destroyed them like the mighty ships of Tarshish shattered by a powerful east wind.
(8) We had heard of the city’s glory, but now we have seen it ourselves—the city of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. It is the city of our God; he will make it safe forever. ~Psalm 48:1-8
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There is something special about Jerusalem. The Bible repeatedly confirms the holiness of this city from the Old Testament right through to the New. God says that He chose Jerusalem for Himself:
And to his son I will give one tribe, that My servant David may always have a lamp before Me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen for Myself, to put My name there. ~I Kings 11:36
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Remember the story of Jesus being left behind at Passover when He was a boy? When Mary and Joseph finally realized that He was gone, they went back to find Him. Three days had passed, but Jesus was right in the city they had left Him...in the Temple, learning (and teaching) the elders about God (His Father).
What was the city? Jerusalem.
His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. (42) And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. (43) When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; (44) but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. (45) So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. (46) Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. (47) And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. (48) So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”
(49) And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (50) But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. ~Luke 2:41-50
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When the Psalmist praises God, he lists God's address in His exhortations, and it is the city that we have been hearing so much about: Jerusalem.
Blessed be the Lord out of Zion, Who dwells in Jerusalem! Praise the Lord! ~Psalm 135:21
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Jerusalem has roots in the origins of the Bible and Old Testament accounts, but (remarkably), it also flies on the wings of God's prophecies for tomorrow as well. This city is special.
“At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the Lord, and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem. No more shall they follow the dictates of their evil hearts. ~Jeremiah 3:17
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I've heard it said that Jerusalem is the most contested, fought over, holy piece of land in the world, and not just today, but for centuries. Far beyond the glossy brochures showcasing olive trees and the Western Wall, there is something more to Jerusalem, and anyone who reads their Bible knows it. The Psalmist would even call it "the pride of the earth":
O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls; they will pray day and night, continually. Take no rest, all you who pray to the Lord. (7) Give the Lord no rest until he completes his work, until he makes Jerusalem the pride of the earth. ~Isaiah 62:6-7
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Are you with me? Are we booking a trip?
Seeing the Holy Land is more than a bucket-list item for me...it's more like a Bible-lust item for me. I have a deep yearning to see and experience this city (of God) that so many verses describe and glorify.
The Scriptures are not full of flashy pictures of Jerusalem, but the history of this city and the prophecies of this city are undeniable, almost unbelievable, and yet they are still visit-able.
I want to be there. Don't you? Then we could say, We had heard of the city’s glory, but now we have seen it ourselves—the city of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. It is the city of our God; he will make it safe forever. ~Psalm 48:8
sarah
https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com
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