stephen R Harrison

There are some who base their success and worth on their family name. Others take pride in being from a more prominent city. I once had in my mind that people who live in big cities like New York or Los Angeles were more important and successful than those who lived in small towns. I mean, if one could move to a large city, success was guaranteed, right? It didn’t take long to realize that millions live in large metroplexes such as these and still struggle to find significance and value. Success is not found in changing one’s location or even one’s name. Many have deceptively thought if they could somehow leave their insignificant small town behind and even disassociate themselves from their family name, their problems would miraculously fade and fame and fortune would instantly follow.

I’m reminded of the Apostle Paul’s words in Acts 17:26-28 where he said, “From one man God made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth. He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being.” Did you catch that? God placed people in every nation. He even set the timeframe in history in which they would live. Why? So we would reach out to Him and find our true meaning and worth in Him. He is not far from any of us, even in a city or family with a seemingly insignificant name.
Success isn’t found where you live but in Whom you live!

In Psalm 87, the psalmists wrote about the glorious city of Zion, a city of God (v. 3). They went on to say God loved this city more than any others (v. 2) and the people from this city were of God (vv. 5-6). So, let’s find this city and move there! But where is Zion? What is Zion? Zion goes beyond the physical boundaries of city limits on this earth. It is “His city” (v. 1), the “city of God” (v. 3). While Jerusalem was the holiest of cities, it seems Zion is much bigger than that. The psalmists said some of those who lived south of Jerusalem in Egypt (Rahab), east of Jerusalem in Babylon, and south of Jerusalem in Cush would be included in Zion. Why are these who were enemies of those in Jerusalem included in Zion?

Psalm 87:4 says they were “among those who acknowledge” God. While born elsewhere, they were “born of God”, having become believers in God (v. 6). Zion is not a city built by bricks and human hands (Hebrews 11:10). The borders of Zion are open to those of cities all around the world who believe in the message of the gospel nd are born again through Jesus Christ. Peter described the people in Zion as “living stones” who trusted in the “Cornerstone” of Jesus Christ who “will never be put to shame” (1 Peter 2:4-6). Their names are written in God’s holy register (Psalm 87:7; Revelation 21:27). Peter also said there would be those not included in Zion who reject and stumble because they “disobey the message” of Jesus as the Savior (1 Peter 2:7-8). Those who are “born again” (John 3:5-7) will receive a new name (Revelation 2:17, 3:12) and a new citizenship (Philippians 3:20). This is why those in Zion worship as every fountain of identity and worth are fulfilled eternally by being born of God (Psalm 87:7).

Questions:

1. Is your identity found in where you live, your name, what you possess, or in Jesus?
2. Can your name be included as a citizen of Zion because of being born again through Jesus Christ?
3. Are there others you know who need a new eternal residence in Heaven? What is your role in their transfer of citizenship?

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for an eternal home in Heaven. Thank You for giving me citizenship in Zion. Your name is the only that can save (Acts 4:12). Thank you for causing me to be born again into Your family. Because I have received You as my Savior, I have the right to be called a child of God (1 John 1:12). Help me to share the good news of the gospel to others so they will trust in your message of salvation and receive the eternal reward of a home in heaven. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.