“The LORD records as he registers the peoples, ‘This one was born there.’” (Psalm 87:6 ESV).
Psalm 87 celebrated the glory of Zion, the city of God. The psalmist declared, “Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God” (v. 3). Yet what made Zion so glorious was not its location or architecture, but God’s gracious promise to welcome people from every nation as His own. Even people from nations historically hostile to Israel, such as “Rahab” (a metaphor for Egypt) and Babylon, would be counted as citizens of God’s city. Remarkably, the Lord Himself would register their names, declaring, “This one was born there.” Those who were once outsiders would be counted as native-born citizens of Zion.
What a beautiful picture of the gospel! We were once alienated from God because of our sins, strangers to His promises and enemies in our hearts. But through Christ’s atoning death and resurrection, we have been reconciled to God. By grace through faith, we have become members of His household and citizens of heaven (Eph. 2:19).
Our ultimate identity is not determined by where we were physically born, but by whether we have been born again through faith in Jesus Christ. And what a comfort to know that our names are written in heaven, not because we have earned our citizenship, but because Christ has secured it for us (Luke 10:20).
God’s heart has always been for the nations. His plan was to bless Israel and through her bring salvation to the ends of the earth. God not only welcomes former enemies into His city; He makes them His own children!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for welcoming us into Your family through faith in Jesus Christ. We praise You that our names are written in heaven because of Your amazing grace. Help us share this good news with others so that people from every nation might be born again and belong to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.