How can we prioritize what God loves, as seen in Psalm 87:2? The Text “The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.” (Psalm 87:2) What God Is Telling Us He Loves • “The gates of Zion” = the place where His people assemble to worship, hear His Word, and enjoy His presence (Psalm 122:1; Isaiah 2:3). • “More than all the dwellings of Jacob” = even above individual homes and private concerns, He esteems the corporate, covenant community gathered around Him. Why This Matters • God declares His preference; therefore His people should align their preferences with His (Psalm 33:11). • His highest affection centers on His dwelling among His people—today expressed in the local church, “the household of God” (1 Timothy 3:15; Ephesians 2:19-22). • Prioritizing what He loves brings blessing (Psalm 84:4) and unity with His purposes (John 17:23-24). Practical Ways to Prioritize What God Loves 1. Make gathered worship non-negotiable – Hebrews 10:24-25 urges regular assembling. – Arrange schedules so Sunday worship is the week’s anchor, not an optional add-on. 2. Invest in the local church – Serve with your gifts (1 Peter 4:10). – Support financially (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). – Encourage leaders who “keep watch over your souls” (Hebrews 13:17). 3. Pray for Zion today – Psalm 122:6: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” – Pray for the global church’s purity, unity, and witness (Ephesians 6:18). 4. Love God’s people sincerely – Practice hospitality (Romans 12:13). – Bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). – Forgive quickly, pursuing peace (Colossians 3:13-15). 5. Celebrate the gospel’s spread – Rejoice whenever God adds citizens to Zion (Luke 15:10). – Support missions that plant and strengthen churches (Acts 13:2-3). Personal Heart Checkpoints • Do I treat corporate worship as God’s beloved priority—or as mere routine? • Are my time, talents, and treasure disproportionately tied up in “my own dwelling” instead of the gates He loves? • Do I speak of the church with affection, or with casual criticism? Encouragement from Other Scriptures • Psalm 84:10—“Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere.” • Matthew 6:33—“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” • Revelation 21:2-3—Ultimate Zion: God dwelling with His people forever. Loving what God loves begins by placing His gathered presence at the center of our lives; everything else finds its proper order when Zion is first in our hearts. |
    |