Monday 19 November 2012

Psalm 48



 "Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. It is beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth."
{Psalm 48:1,2}  (NIV1984
 
Each city built by man, has something that its citizens point to as a point of pride and glory. Many cities take pride in their skylines, or their government buildings, or their park systems, or their proximity to a natural landmark. The number of inhabitants is another thing that citizens point to as a point of glory. Mankind has built cities since the beginning of our existence, and there have been many beautiful and awe inspiring cities throughout the ages. 

What would prompt this description of Jerusalem as being beautiful and being the joy of the whole earth? Is there something special here about its situation? Is the city surrounded by natural wonders? Is it the largest city in the world? Is it the most powerful or sophisticated? No! The reason that Jerusalem is beautiful, and the reason Jerusalem is the joy of the earth is simply because the Great LORD of all the earth dwells there. It is the city of our God. 

As we read this psalm this morning and as we hum to ourselves that praise chorus we used to sing “Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised…”, may we meditate on our true situation in this age of grace. 

Dear brother and sister, we have the manifest Presence of God dwelling within our bodies; we have in our local church the Manifest Presence of God dwelling among us. May we take pride in His Presence, may we point to His Presence may we tell others how blessed we are that He dwells with us!

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