The stubborn faith of the martyrs under the Romans led to the establishment of the church in Europe. I lived 28 years without seeking or following godly leadership. Look at the history of the church. So, in the Old Testament, as God protected the cities of Judah and especially Mount Zion – the people rejoiced. We equip families and Time was getting shorter when we needed to have a solution. At first the enemy is confident he can crush this insignificant little body of believers. When we think that things are out of control, we should look at what has happened to Christ’s church in history, and then we will understand that God is in control and He will preserve His church forever. discipleship resources, the Christian Curriculum Project, and But as another song goes, the flame shall not hurt thee. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Heb. However, after years of seeing God’s successful and safe leadership through the daunting “storms,” I am convinced and sure that whatever looms over us will be dealt with by God’s guidance and protection. What enthralls us, what brings us to glory and awe, is what will become the focus of our lives. It reminds us that it is good to reflect upon our future in heaven in the city of the great King. Just in what we thought was the knick of time, all details were quickly solved within hours. . To the right you have miles and miles of sandy dry desert. 2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. Read along and pray with us as we look at Psalm 48 today. 42 He [A.C.…] shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 4 For, lo, the kings were assembled,they [passed by/advance] together. He will be our guide even unto death. In the future – his people, both Jew and Gentile who are one in Christ. Jesus is the Shepherd of the flock, who feeds us (meets our needs) and keeps us safe (protects us). We are to be separate from the world in what we love, in our priorities and in our behavior. 5 They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away. We are temples as individuals. 10 According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness. No, it’s God himself. Jerusalem is lofty. What approach to making money will increase it according to Proverbs 13 11? It’s this – that the Lord protects Mount Zion. A worship psalm like this one is invigorating for those of us who must interact with a world that opposes Christ and His church. Our bodies will die someday – but if we know God’s Son Jesus Christ we will not even see what it’s like to be separated from God – which is the essence of death. And we could probably assume that his ships meet their end too – possibly by an east wind. Nowhere is His greatness so richly manifested as in the church, the city of God. What makes this psalm so comforting to the church? Look at the reaction of the kings of the earth! The odds seem against us. 14 For this God is our God [who is our defender…] for ever and ever:he will be our guide even unto death. Upon this meditation, the Psalmist breaks out in praise in verse 10. But what do you make of that next statement we read in verse 2? No earthly king, heretic, or apostate can destroy the church of Jesus Christ. And the praise of the psalmist is directed toward two entities. Daily Nugget: “For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.” Psalm 48:14 This Psalm also speaks of the millennial reign and the victory of the Messiah during that time. In fact, He tells us in 1 Corinthians 3 that if anybody defiles His church, He will destroy that person. And actually, it even tends to be a bit south of the center of the land. But then God himself will be our Temple. But he is going to. 8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. The third nephew asked, “Are you marrying this woman because she is rich?” “Of course not,” he replied. Out of all the locations on the earth, the Lord had chosen to set his name in Israel. That is blasphemy to our Lord. Study church history, but do not dwell on the detractors, the heretics, and apostates. And as we read this description of past victory – we can also imagine the ultimate victory that the King of the Jews – Jesus Christ – will yet have before he sets up his Millennial reign from this hallowed city. Worship is invigorating and comforting. So, the psalmist praises the appearance of Jerusalem. to pass on the faith to the next generation through the biblical It happens when we seek Him and His direction by spending time in His book—the Word of God. He knows best! Well, the KJV says that it’s the most distant part of “the north.”. …. So, these assembled and advancing kings see something. It holds a high position, not in physical altitude as on the mountain of Jerusalem, and not in political power, but in spiritual power and favor with God. He’s not concerned solely for the geographic area of Jerusalem. 2. That declaration is that God has been and will be one’s guide no matter the generation, trials, and throughout our lifetime. They’re supposed to remember the battle that was about to rage against them. By the way, of whom is this speaking? Let me know the results of the gleaning. And for this Old Testament psalmist, the Lord demonstrated his concern for his people in a very tangible way. We may have failed Him, but He is always faithful. And so, the Lord is utterly praiseworthy. One finally spoke up and said, “Uncle, are you getting married because this woman is beautiful?” “No,” he said. And God’s people in this psalm are being invited to look thoroughly through the city and see that whether they had the walls and defenses or not – God truly protects his people. Robert Fudge 08/12/16 - Devotionals. Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. churches around the world through our daily radio programs, We are comforted with the beauty, strength, and permanence of the church of God in Christ Jesus. This is only because of the lovingkindness of God, who continues to uphold this tiny bark in the floods. 7 Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind. It’s because God has protected you as one of his people. We are the people of God so let us rejoice in him. And his reputation of protecting his people ensures that he will receive that praise. Now, we’re still left wondering what caused these kings to become so emotionally distressed that they would flee from their original plan to attack Jerusalem. 9 We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple. © Copyright 2008 - 2020 Generations. 3. The church met at Jerusalem in the Old Testament, but Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well that this would end (John 4:21). So, these mighty kings are now reduced to the emotional state of a woman in the midst of delivering a baby – which is to say that they are not at all as frightening as they first appeared to be. So, the psalmist is praising God for the fact that this kind of scorching killing menacing wind has come or will come and that it results in the destruction of these ships. But the God who overcame 135,000 with 300 (Jud. First, the psalmist praises a particular city – Mount Zion – Jerusalem. His people are supposed to take note of the fact that when he protects us, it really is ultimately him – and not any sort of man-made means of defense. And the the The main idea is summarize. WWW.EPHESUSCHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG What is the relationship of this city of God and the city of man? Praying through Psalm 48:14 Thank You Father that You are my God and thank You for loving me enough to send Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for me. And the psalmist doesn’t answer that yet. What is the alternative to “wealth gotten by vanity” in Proverbs 13 11? If this scenario played out in history – we apparently don’t have it recorded for us. Psalm 48 The principal at the school my children attend has a little responsive saying he uses with the students. He’s concerned about Jerusalem for the sake of his people. We’re temples all together as a body of believers. That’s why throughout the Bible, when it speaks of people going to Jerusalem it speaks of the direction traveled as being “up.” People go “up” to Jerusalem. Use me to help others as they serve you. And they’re supposed to notice that the defenses of the city weren’t really what protected them. in the city of our God,[in the mountain of his holiness/his holy mountain/his holy hill]. God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress. Any lists of psalm types are likely to vary from one list-maker to another, but most lists I checked included at least 46, 48, 76, 84, 87, and 122. Or – I suppose – both. But … And so, the portion of Scripture I’m referring to is in the 11th chapter of the book of Daniel. … Is it? Verse 11. It’s where Jesus Christ will reign on the throne of his father David for one thousand years. He is interested in the daily round of our lives.. our homes, our work and the communities in which we live.