“Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken”
- Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion city of our God; He, Whose Word cannot be broken Formed thee for His Own abode: On the Rock of Ages founded, What can shake thy sure repose? With salvation’s walls surrounded, Thou mayst smile at all thy foes.
- See, the streams of living waters, Springing from Eternal Love, Well supply thy sons and daughters, And all fear of want remove: Who can faint, while such a river Ever will their thirst assuage? Grace, which, like the Lord the Giver, Never fails from age to age.
- Round each habitation hov’ring, See the cloud and fire appear, For a glory and a cov’ring: Showing that the Lord is near. Thus deriving from their banner Light by night, and shade by day, Safe they feed upon the manna, Which He gives them on their way.
- Savior, if of Zion’s city I, through grace, a member am, Let the world deride or pity, I will glory in Thy Name: Fading is the worldling’s pleasure, All his boasted pomp and show: Solid joys and lasting treasure None but Zion’s children know.
(Words: John Newton, 1779, copyright: public domain.)
Isaiah 33:20-21: “Look on Zion, the city of our festivals; your eyes will see Jerusalem, a peaceful abode, a tent that will not be moved; its stakes will never be pulled up, nor any of its ropes broken. There the Lord will be our Mighty One. It will be like a place of broad rivers and streams. No galley with oars will ride them, no mighty ship will sail them.”
Psalm 87: “He has founded his city on the holy mountain. The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the other dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are said of you, city of God: ‘I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge Me — Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush — and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.” Indeed, of Zion it will be said, ‘This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High Himself will establish her.’ The Lord will write in the register of the peoples: ‘This one was born in Zion.’ As they make music they will sing, ‘All my fountains are in you.’”
Look at the witness statements:
The testimony on the earth, “this one was born there.”
The testimony in heaven, “this one was born in Zion.” The Lord records this truth in His book; therefore there is total security for all those so recorded.
These words point us forward to those who are “in Christ,” for whom Christ is the Advocate, the Righteous One; their names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Those who serve God delight in Him, rather than in their service. Songs of hope, and a future presence with our eternal God in Christ. What a gift to share with the loveless, the hopeless, the oppressed by the devil!
We sing the victory with such people, first in our own lives then those around us.
Prayer
Lord, we sing to You in joy and gladness for the blessings You give us each day! I am blessed that You have granted me Your forgiveness in Your mercy and grace, and look forward to my eternal life in You.
Pray, praise, give thanks, and stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
