Born in Zion

Psalm 87:4-6

Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon;

behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush—

“This one was born there,” they say.

And of Zion it shall be said,

“This one and that one were born in her”;

for the Most High himself will establish her.

The Lord  records as he registers the peoples,

“This one was born there.”

One of the reasons that I love this Psalm is that it gives a testimony to the fact that in heaven, there will be neither Jew nor Gentile for we are all one in Jesus Christ (Gal 3:28). Look at those whom the psalmist says know the Lord. Rahab – OK, I can see how He would include her – but this Rahab is not a person but the nation Egypt. They treated the Israelites as slaves. How about Babylon – the center of astrology and evil conquerors of Judah? The Philistines were constantly at war with Israel. Tyre was friendly with David and Solomon but judged during the times of Isaiah and Jeremiah. Cush was also judged by Isaiah but in Zephaniah they are described as worshipers (Zeph 3:10).

All of these were peoples who were enemies of Israel at one time or another. Yet the Lord says that they know Him and will register them as people born in Zion. The beautiful picture of this is that no matter what we were before we came to Christ, we are counted as one of His. We may even stray but once we belong to Christ, nothing can separate us from Him.

If I had a passport from the Kingdom of God and Christ, it would list my birthplace as Zion.