Bible Reading: Psalm 75
“So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no stranger pass through her any more” – Joel 3:17(KJV)
We will continue reviewing the components of Zion or the inhabitants of Zion. Yesterday we reviewed the general assembly and the church of the firstborn who are the redeemed of the Lord. Today we shall be looking at other inhabitants of Zion as follows: –
God the Judge of all
From our scriptural verse of today, we see God proclaim His authentic dwelling in Zion: “So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain:” – Joel 3:17a (KJV). The bible says that God inhabits the praises of his people (Psalm 22:3). In another place we see the Psalmist admonishing us to “Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doing” – Psalm 9:11 (KJV). We can therefore conclude that mount. Zion, the dwelling place of our God, is a place of praise and worship. No wonder the Psalmist request that we declare among the people His doing. When God is present He comes with His strange acts which comes forth as signs, wonders and miracles. Therefore, Mount Zion is a place of signs and wonders because of the presence of the God who is the judge of all. He is the one that judges in righteousness. Zion is the chosen habitation of God: “For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation” – Psalm 132:13(KJV).
Spirits of Just men made perfect
These are the spirits of men throughout the bible history who stayed and fought life’s battles on the side of God and were victorious. They are men who, even in the face of heavy intimidation, refused to succumb. They overcame temptations by strong commitment to their obedience of scriptural instructions. Just men who won justification by their committed lifestyle to God’s commandment and unwavering faith in God’s word. These are men who, through their tenacity and faith in God, wrought wonders, subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouth of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, waxed valiant in fight, and turned to flight the armies of the aliens in their time. Whenever we gather in Zion the spirits of these men are present to rub off on us. These are men who, though operated under the Dispensation of Law, sought for God, obeyed His instructions, lived righteously and walked with God. Included in these are Enoch and Elijah who did not see death.
It becomes necessary therefore when we come to church services to be very aware of the mystery of Zion. Our legal ground for being partakers of this mysterious gathering is the blood of Jesus and the redemption it has provided for us. Zion is our service centre, where the prophetic word and the blood of Jesus Christ are used to purge our conscience and sanctify us for effectiveness in our kingdom service.
Prayer: Father help me not to forsake the assembly of the saints in Zion.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo