There is a worship song that blesses me each time my church sings it. It’s called “We Will Feast in the House of Zion.” It speaks of a day when those in Christ will feast with Him and weep no more (Rev. 21:4), and when “we will sing with our hearts restored.”

We will indeed! Not only will the saints be singing into eternity, but there is a specific place where we will sing, called Zion. Zion is often used as another name for Jerusalem. Psalm 132 says that the LORD has both chosen Zion and desired it for His dwelling forever (vv. 13–14). It is where the nations will be gathered during His millennial reign in the age to come (Jer. 3:17; Zech. 2:10–12). And we will be singing before Him in Zion one day through the psalms, songs, and prayers from His Word.

God’s voice is heard loud and clear about His future dwelling place. Along with Psalm 132, another psalm proclaims that God has “installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain” (Ps. 2:6). The most quoted psalm in the New Testament is Psalm 110, which declares that the Lord will extend Christ’s “mighty scepter from Zion, saying, ‘Rule in the midst of your enemies!’” (Ps.110:2).

Based on the psalms alone, this is a call for us as well. While we sing songs about the cross of Christ, we are also called to sing about the crown of Christ, songs that proclaim and declare the future reign of Christ and His kingdom from Zion. Those the Lord has saved “will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads” (Isa. 51:11). Ask God to give you this eternal perspective as you prepare to sing in worship this coming weekend.

There is a worship song that blesses me each time my church sings it. It’s called “We Will Feast in the House of Zion.” It speaks of a day when those in Christ will feast with Him and weep no more (Rev. 21:4), and when “we will sing with our hearts restored.”
We will indeed! Not only will the saints be singing into eternity, but there is a specific place where we will sing, called Zion. Zion is often used as another name for Jerusalem. Psalm 132 says that the LORD has both chosen Zion and desired it for His dwelling forever (vv. 13–14). It is where the nations will be gathered during His millennial reign in the age to come (Jer. 3:17; Zech. 2:10–12). And we will be singing before Him in Zion one day through the psalms, songs, and prayers from His Word.
God’s voice is heard loud and clear about His future dwelling place. Along with Psalm 132, another psalm proclaims that God has “installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain” (Ps. 2:6). The most quoted psalm in the New Testament is Psalm 110, which declares that the Lord will extend Christ’s “mighty scepter from Zion, saying, ‘Rule in the midst of your enemies!’” (Ps.110:2).
Based on the psalms alone, this is a call for us as well. While we sing songs about the cross of Christ, we are also called to sing about the crown of Christ, songs that proclaim and declare the future reign of Christ and His kingdom from Zion. Those the Lord has saved “will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads” (Isa. 51:11). Ask God to give you this eternal perspective as you prepare to sing in worship this coming weekend.

Today in the Word is a daily audio devotional available via podcast. Today in the Word features solid biblical content and study that models the mission and values of Moody Bible Institute.

Today in the Word Devotional

Psalms: Songs of Zion

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a8cdbf10-d816-4c77-9e79-aa1c012547e1/clips/ec9fb78b-1800-4002-972c-b154016a74b5/transcript

Have you ever made a promise to someone? Maybe you told your child you would attend their band concert or a friend you would support them through a tough time? Now, think about the sense of satisfaction you experienced when you kept your promise. In the same way, but on a much deeper scale, God made a promise to Eve in the garden of Eden that one day one of her offspring would crush the head of the serpent (Gen. 3:15). That promise would span many generations to be fulfilled with the birth of Jesus!

Matthew’s Gospel opens with a genealogy. While this may seem like a long, unimportant list of names, it is a detailed tribute to God’s faithfulness. It shows how God kept His promise through many generations. Jesus comes from the line of Abraham and David, as prophesied in the Old Testament (Gen. 22:17–18; Isa. 11:1).

Matthew’s genealogy is especially unique in that it includes the names of three Gentile women (Tamar, Rahab and Ruth) to show that His promises have expanded to an even wider audience. Even when God might have seemed silent to His people, these verses show that God was present.

In Matthew 1:21, the angel told Joseph: “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Jesus, the name that means “The Lord saves,” is the embodiment of God’s promise and presence.

God’s presence is also with us today through the peaks and valleys of our lives. We can confidently trust that God can and will continue to keep His promises to us. Jesus not only has the ability to save us from sin, but He will also keep other promises, such as “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). God always keeps His promises, and His presence is always there for us.

Have you ever made a promise to someone? Maybe you told your child you would attend their band concert or a friend you would support them through a tough time? Now, think about the sense of satisfaction you experienced when you kept your promise. In the same way, but on a much deeper scale, God made a promise to Eve in the garden of Eden that one day one of her offspring would crush the head of the serpent (Gen. 3:15). That promise would span many generations to be fulfilled with the birth of Jesus!
Matthew’s Gospel opens with a genealogy. While this may seem like a long, unimportant list of names, it is a detailed tribute to God’s faithfulness. It shows how God kept His promise through many generations. Jesus comes from the line of Abraham and David, as prophesied in the Old Testament (Gen. 22:17–18; Isa. 11:1).
Matthew’s genealogy is especially unique in that it includes the names of three Gentile women (Tamar, Rahab and Ruth) to show that His promises have expanded to an even wider audience. Even when God might have seemed silent to His people, these verses show that God was present.
In Matthew 1:21, the angel told Joseph: “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Jesus, the name that means “The Lord saves,” is the embodiment of God’s promise and presence.
God’s presence is also with us today through the peaks and valleys of our lives. We can confidently trust that God can and will continue to keep His promises to us. Jesus not only has the ability to save us from sin, but He will also keep other promises, such as “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). God always keeps His promises, and His presence is always there for us.

A Promise Kept

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a8cdbf10-d816-4c77-9e79-aa1c012547e1/clips/18b354af-63f2-419d-a36d-b16f017b1871/transcript

When we listen to music, we think of hearing something after it has made a sound. But any act of music-making requires listening before any note is heard. To listen is to hear the true pitch and rhythm in our minds before playing, singing, or even writing music.

How true that should be as we live for Christ! We are to know and hear His voice and the leading of the Spirit as we live in obedience to Him. When asked which commandment was the most important, the first word Jesus said was “hear” (Mark 12:29). Jesus quoted a passage from Deuteronomy 6:4 known as the Shema Prayer. Shema appears over 1,000 times in the Old Testament, and it means to hear, to listen, and to obey. This makes sense: when we tell our kids to “listen to mom or dad,” we are essentially telling them to obey. In the same way, our heavenly Father lovingly calls us to obey Him.

Shema is also used in a musical context. In Psalm 150, it means to make a loud musical sound in praising God (Ps. 150:5). To offer true praise in our music and songs, to worship with impact on the church and the watching world, we must first shema to Jesus. We must have no other gods, for “hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Mark 12:29). Hear, listen, obey the Lord and no other. Then shall we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Then shall we love our neighbor as ourselves. Then shall we offer true and pleasing worship in our song, for we are to worship the only One worthy with our very lives. Shema, O Church! May we trust and obey Him and sing to the Lord a new song (Ps. 33:3; 96:1; Isa. 42:10).

When we listen to music, we think of hearing something after it has made a sound. But any act of music-making requires listening before any note is heard. To listen is to hear the true pitch and rhythm in our minds before playing, singing, or even writing music.
How true that should be as we live for Christ! We are to know and hear His voice and the leading of the Spirit as we live in obedience to Him. When asked which commandment was the most important, the first word Jesus said was “hear” (Mark 12:29). Jesus quoted a passage from Deuteronomy 6:4 known as the Shema Prayer. Shema appears over 1,000 times in the Old Testament, and it means to hear, to listen, and to obey. This makes sense: when we tell our kids to “listen to mom or dad,” we are essentially telling them to obey. In the same way, our heavenly Father lovingly calls us to obey Him.
Shema is also used in a musical context. In Psalm 150, it means to make a loud musical sound in praising God (Ps. 150:5). To offer true praise in our music and songs, to worship with impact on the church and the watching world, we must first shema to Jesus. We must have no other gods, for “hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Mark 12:29). Hear, listen, obey the Lord and no other. Then shall we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Then shall we love our neighbor as ourselves. Then shall we offer true and pleasing worship in our song, for we are to worship the only One worthy with our very lives. Shema, O Church! May we trust and obey Him and sing to the Lord a new song (Ps. 33:3; 96:1; Isa. 42:10).

Listen, Obey, Sing

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a8cdbf10-d816-4c77-9e79-aa1c012547e1/clips/102b00ed-7d99-46ec-86d2-b162015a1d79/transcript

We often sing and say “hallelujah” (or “praise the Lord”) as Christians. But where is this found in the Bible? In the New Testament, hallelujah is used in only one place, Revelation 19. The four separate times it occurs there give us insight into why we ought to use “hallelujah,” not just in conversations but also in our songs.

In Revelation 19, a great multitude roars “hallelujah,” giving praise and glory to God (v. 1). We are given the reason why: “for true and just are his judgments” (v. 2). We sing hallelujah not only because our God judges with truth and justice, but also because He is coming again to judge the earth and bring vengeance for the blood of His servants (v. 2). This is in reference to the “great prostitute” Babylon, with whom the kings of the earth commit adultery (Rev. 18:9), the one who is drunk with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus (Rev. 17:6). God will judge her, and the nations and smoke will go up from her forever (Rev. 19:3, Isa. 34:10). At that time the multitude will cry “hallelujah” the second time. As the elders and living creatures proclaim “amen” we hear the third “hallelujah” (v. 4). A voice from the throne calls all those who fear the Lord to praise Him, a call to praise and worship Him in reverence and awe.

The final “hallelujah” culminates with a marriage. We sing hallelujah because our God reigns (v. 6) and we, the church, are His bride (Eph. 5:23). On that day we will be made ready (v. 7). This is also our call to get ready now, asking God to continually purify us, His church, as we worship in longing for that glorious wedding day when we will be singing an eternal song. May we make ourselves ready, for Jesus says, “Yes, I am coming soon” (Rev. 22:20).

We often sing and say “hallelujah” (or “praise the Lord”) as Christians. But where is this found in the Bible? In the New Testament, hallelujah is used in only one place, Revelation 19. The four separate times it occurs there give us insight into why we ought to use “hallelujah,” not just in conversations but also in our songs.
In Revelation 19, a great multitude roars “hallelujah,” giving praise and glory to God (v. 1). We are given the reason why: “for true and just are his judgments” (v. 2). We sing hallelujah not only because our God judges with truth and justice, but also because He is coming again to judge the earth and bring vengeance for the blood of His servants (v. 2). This is in reference to the “great prostitute” Babylon, with whom the kings of the earth commit adultery (Rev. 18:9), the one who is drunk with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus (Rev. 17:6). God will judge her, and the nations and smoke will go up from her forever (Rev. 19:3, Isa. 34:10). At that time the multitude will cry “hallelujah” the second time. As the elders and living creatures proclaim “amen” we hear the third “hallelujah” (v. 4). A voice from the throne calls all those who fear the Lord to praise Him, a call to praise and worship Him in reverence and awe.
The final “hallelujah” culminates with a marriage. We sing hallelujah because our God reigns (v. 6) and we, the church, are His bride (Eph. 5:23). On that day we will be made ready (v. 7). This is also our call to get ready now, asking God to continually purify us, His church, as we worship in longing for that glorious wedding day when we will be singing an eternal song. May we make ourselves ready, for Jesus says, “Yes, I am coming soon” (Rev. 22:20).

Sing Hallelujah!

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a8cdbf10-d816-4c77-9e79-aa1c012547e1/clips/a7a72844-a162-4295-b53a-b1630151e285/transcript

Psalms: Songs of Zion

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