Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Read

Psalm 87, Isaiah 60:1-9, Revelation 21:1-7 (NLT)

Psalm 87
A song. A psalm of the descendants of Korah.

On the holy mountain
    stands the city founded by the Lord.
He loves the city of Jerusalem
    more than any other city in Israel.
O city of God,
    what glorious things are said of you! Interlude

I will count Egypt and Babylon among those who know me—
    also Philistia and Tyre, and even distant Ethiopia.
    They have all become citizens of Jerusalem!
Regarding Jerusalem it will be said,
    “Everyone enjoys the rights of citizenship there.”
    And the Most High will personally bless this city.
When the Lord registers the nations, he will say,
    “They have all become citizens of Jerusalem.” Interlude

The people will play flutes and sing,
    “The source of my life springs from Jerusalem!”


Isaiah 60:1-9
“Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see.
    For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you.
Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth,
    but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you.
All nations will come to your light;
    mighty kings will come to see your radiance.

“Look and see, for everyone is coming home!
    Your sons are coming from distant lands;
    your little daughters will be carried home.
Your eyes will shine,
    and your heart will thrill with joy,
for merchants from around the world will come to you.
    They will bring you the wealth of many lands.
Vast caravans of camels will converge on you,
    the camels of Midian and Ephah.
The people of Sheba will bring gold and frankincense
    and will come worshiping the Lord.
The flocks of Kedar will be given to you,
    and the rams of Nebaioth will be brought for my altars.
I will accept their offerings,
    and I will make my Temple glorious.

“And what do I see flying like clouds to Israel,
    like doves to their nests?
They are ships from the ends of the earth,
    from lands that trust in me,
    led by the great ships of Tarshish.
They are bringing the people of Israel home from far away,
    carrying their silver and gold.
They will honor the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel,
    for he has filled you with splendor.


Revelation 21:1-7
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.

Jesus Storybook Bible: 
The King of All Kings (p.192)

Meditate

O city of God, what glorious things are said of you! (Psalm 87:3)


Pray

Lord Jesus, we exult your name! You are seated at the right hand of the Father and have been given all power and authority. At the cross, you crushed our great Enemy under your feet and delivered us from our sin. In your mercy, subdue the nations by the Gospel and gather your people for the glory of your eternal Kingdom. We especially pray for your missionaries around the world - bless their work on your behalf and enable them to faithfully declare and demonstrate the Gospel in word and deed. In your name, we pray. Amen.

Take a moment to pray for others.

 

New City Catechism

Question 35: Since We Are Redeemed by Grace Alone, Through Faith Alone, Where Does This Faith Come From?

Answer: All the gifts we receive from Christ we receive through the Holy Spirit, including faith itself.


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