The Holy City

During my last trip to Israel and as the tour bus approached Jerusalem, the sound system started playing the following worship song. . .

Jerusalem, Jerusalem;

Lift Up Your Gates And Sing;

Hosanna In The Highest;

Hosanna To Our King

Immediately, everyone in the bus started worshiping The Lord, it was one of the richest and purest times of worship of my life. What is it about Jerusalem that causes such a response? Why is it referred to as the Holy City? Why is it said "Jerusalem is the center of world events?"

The word of our Lord God says in Psalm 132:13-14 "For The Lord has chosen Zion (Jerusalem), He has desired it for His habitation; this is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it." Jerusalem is very important to our God, because it is His habitation. Our God deeply cares about His home and the grounds that surround it which is all of Israel. Jerusalem is not our God's temporary residence, it is His permanent abode. He will dwell in Jerusalem forever.

The importance of Jerusalem to our God is also illustrated in Psalm 122:6 that says "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they prosper who love You. May peace be within your walls and prosperity within your houses." Traditionally, most people believe the peace mentioned here revolves around a lack of war in Israel. This is true but the Hebrew meaning of this peace is much more involved. This peace actually means well being, happiness, health, prosperity, favor and rest. We are actually praying for all of this for the Jewish people when we obey this verse.

We, who love and pray on a regular basis for Israel, can join a ministry in Israel that takes Isaiah 62:1 literally "For Zion's sake I will not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns." We can participate with the Jerusalem House of Prayer For All Nations headed by Tom Hess in which people from all over the world come to pray twenty-four hours a day on the Mount of Olives. For more information please go to www.jhopfan.org 

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care This Day And Each Day,

Frank