The Heart of God for IsraelSample

GOD HAS CHOSEN JERUSALEM FOR HIS HABITATION

God has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. God declares that Jerusalem is His resting place forever. He will dwell there, for He has desired it. God has a unique relationship with Jerusalem. Zion receives more attention than any other city. God has desired to live in Jerusalem, so much so that He will have His resting place there forever.

The Scriptures teach that God’s manifest presence is in distinctive places, at particular times, with specific people. God was present at the crossing of the Red Sea, at the time of the exodus, with Moses and the children of Israel. During the following year, He was no longer there; He was leading His people in the wilderness.

Someone influenced by a Greek mindset has a hard time picturing God in time and space because, in this worldview, the deity is an ethereal concept. The Bible shows that God has a personality with various emotions, desires, ways, and relationships affecting His decisions and actions.

Popular wisdom says: “Show me your house, and I will tell you who you are!” God dwells not in a house but in a city. Jerusalem is full of His story. It was the place of Abraham’s sacrifice and the city and throne of David. It was the location of the temple where crowds of worshipers gathered during the feasts. Jesus died and God resurrected Him in Jerusalem, which was the city where the Holy Spirit was first poured out. In the future, among other events, Jerusalem will witness the appearance of Jesus, the salvation of the Jewish people, and the crushing of the Antichrist’s armies. Yes, God has a special love for Jerusalem, and He has chosen to live there forever.

PRAYER

Our Father,

We bless Your holy name. We thank you for making Yourself known to us. We love to get to know who You are, what is precious to You, what You feel, and what You think. Thank you for revealing Your love for Jerusalem so that we can get in alignment with Your choice. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6). We pray for Your will to be done in this city as it is in heaven. We pray for the worldwide Church to understand Your heart and purposes for Jerusalem.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.