Citizens Of Heaven

Jun 22, 2023

Psalm 87 speaks of Zion, God’s chosen holy city of Jerusalem.

The psalmist writes of God’s deep love for Zion and its superiority to all other places. There is a special connection between God and His chosen city, as it is considered the birthplace of His people.

Psalm 87:1-2 reads,

He has founded his city on the holy mountain. The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.

- Psalm 87:1-2

This unique status Zion holds isn’t limited to the place itself; it also applies to the citizens within it. As we reflect on this Psalm as 21st century Christians in America, we can question how to relate to the significance of Jerusalem. But this powerful language isn’t just applying to a present day place, but instead, to the eternal Zion that is to come.

Through Psalm 87, God expresses His favor for the new heavens and new earth. The chosen city that won’t be tainted by sin or marred by our brokenness. Through the saving grace of Jesus, we all have adopted citizenship into the eternal Zion. We all find belonging and favor as God’s chosen people, in His chosen place.

Psalm 87 is a reminder to us of how God feels about His chosen city and people.

It’s a reminder in a lonely, fallen world that we have a sense of belonging and citizenship that is unique and spiritual.

Far too often in life we find ourselves trying to belong. Trying to fit in. Trying to be a part of something. This desire to be known makes sense, and yet it can often drive us to settle for identities that aren’t truly fulfilling. We long to fit in with our coworkers, so we make jokes we wouldn’t normally make. We long to belong in our city, so we buy homes that are beyond our means, and drive cars that aren’t necessary. We long to appear competent, so we post our achievements, and edit our selfies. We go to painful extents to be citizens of our hobbies, careers, friend groups, and cultural circles. And while belonging to some of those things isn’t inherently bad, it won’t be eternally fulfilling.

Our belonging in circles in this world must always come second to our belonging in God’s eternal kingdom.

So, when we read Psalm 87, when we think of God’s holy, chosen city, His set apart Jerusalem, we remind ourselves where we truly belong: in Zion. Maybe not literally and physically. But spiritually, our true identity and citizenship lies in God’s chosen people. More than a salary, or follower count, or zip code, who we are is a member of the Kingdom of God. Who we serve is a Creator who deeply loves us. And where we’re headed is eternal belonging with Him.

Let’s not settle for belonging that won’t really satisfy. Let’s stop jeopardizing true fellowship with the Holy Spirit for shallow identity here on earth.

Let’s be different, let’s be set apart. Just like Zion.

In Philippians 3:20-21, Paul writes,

But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.