MAY 1
Psalm 87:6, “The Lord records as he registers the peoples, ‘This one was born there.'”
Psalm 87 offers a stunning vision of Zion—not just as Israel’s beloved capital, but as the spiritual epicenter of God’s presence and divine favor. More than a physical city, Zion becomes a symbol of God’s redemptive plan. What’s especially striking is the psalm’s universal message: people from nations far beyond Israel, even historical enemies like Egypt (Rahab) and Babylon, will one day be counted as citizens of Zion. This is not merely about geography—it’s about belonging. God is building a people not based on heritage or birthplace, but on spiritual rebirth.
That idea brings to mind something as ordinary as a birth certificate. Mine says I was born at Portland Osteopathic Hospital in Portland, Oregon—a hospital that, interestingly, no longer exists. Having lived over 65 years in Oregon, I qualify for certain benefits, like a Pioneer License for fishing and hunting. But beyond that, there aren’t many exclusive perks to being a native Oregonian. As beautiful as my home state is, it also has its flaws, like anywhere else.
Still, each year, I mark that physical birthday with gratitude. But there’s another birthday that far surpasses it in meaning—the day I was “born again.” Jesus tells Nicodemus in John 3 that no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born of the Spirit. This spiritual birth—the moment a person places faith in Christ—is what makes someone a true citizen of God’s Kingdom. As John 1:12 declares, “To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
One day, there will be a celebration unlike any other. Revelation 5 gives us a glimpse of it: people from every nation, tribe, and tongue gathered in worship around the throne, honoring the Lamb who was slain. That heavenly chorus will include those born in every corner of the world—united not by earthly citizenship, but by their spiritual rebirth in Christ.
Your earthly birthplace may be on your birth certificate, but your spiritual rebirth is what secures your place in heaven. Have you had a second birthday? Have you been born of the flesh and of the Spirit?
“Born of the Spirit with life from above, Into God’s family divine, Justified fully thru Calvary’s love, O what a standing is mine.”— “Heaven Came Down,” John W. Peterson
Application Questions: Psalm 87 celebrates God’s plan to welcome people from all nations into His Kingdom. How does this affect the way you view others, especially those who are from differing cultures? Can you identify a “second birthday” when you placed your trust in Jesus?
LookingtoJesus 