Stand with Israel
God is in her palaces; He is known as her refuge. ~ Psalms 48:3
It’s no secret that Israel belongs to God, and His plans for that great city, Jerusalem, are still unfolding. He remains their refuge, protecting the land from the daily terrors it faces. A few weeks ago we read Psalms 24 and were reminded that the earth and everything in it belong to the Lord, but why does this small nation, set in the heart of the world, carry such great importance? What is it about Israel that draws the attention and even the hostility of the world?
Some of these answers are in today’s reading. Israel is not just a piece of land—it’s a land blessed by God, chosen as the birthplace of His divine plan for redemption. God’s favor rests on Israel because through this nation, His Son, Jesus was born. Israel is God’s chosen people, His covenant family. While we, as Christians, are grafted into that family through salvation in Jesus, Israel retains a unique place in God’s heart and plans.
Israel is God’s family, and as believers in Christ Jesus, we, too, are part of this great family of God—not as Americans, but as Christians. We are the bride being prepared for the return of the Lord, ready to spend our eternity with Him. God’s love for Israel is a reflection of His love for all His children. Just as a father desires to protect and provide for his family, so does our Heavenly Father protect His people. He brilliantly ordained the family structure in the beginning so that we could better understand His own loving, protective nature.
Today, He is our heavenly Father and as our Father, we can understand Him better by looking at the position of a father to love and care for His family. What father in this world doesn’t want the best for his family and always protect them? That is what a good father does and that is what our heavenly Father does. Matthew 7: 9-11 says:
Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Psalm 48 paints a picture of God’s unwavering protection over Jerusalem. It speaks of nations that look upon this great city, marveling at its divine protection and, in their fear, turning away. Today, though many stand arrogantly against Israel and seek to take hold of God’s land, but He will not allow His people to be destroyed. His plans for Israel are eternal, and His promises remain unshakable.
We are called to stand with Israel, trusting in God’s protective hand. As we witness the ongoing struggles in the world, we can know and remember that the same God who protects Israel protects us. His dominion is eternal, His love unchanging, and His purposes unstoppable. Stand firm, knowing that God’s promises endure, and as His people, we are wrapped in that same protection, ready to witness His glory revealed.
Today I want to encourage you to stand with Israel. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Pray for the people of that region and God’s protection to be evident to all the nations surrounding them. Then take time to consider your part in the family of God. What role did He bring you into the family to fill. Check in with Him each day and get your assignment and remember to pray for the family of God who are struggling around the world. Lastly meditate on His great love for you, the love of a Father and be confident in His plan to keep you in all your ways.
Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 48
1 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain.
2 Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
3 God is in her palaces He is known as her refuge.
4 For behold, the kings assembled, they passed by together.
5 They saw it, and so they marveled; They were troubled, they hastened away.
6 Fear took hold of them there, and pain, as of a woman in birth pangs,
7 As when You break the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
8 As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it forever. Selah
9 We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness, in the midst of Your temple.
10 According to Your name, O God, so is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness.
11 Let Mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of Your judgments.
12 Walk about Zion, and go all around her. Count her towers;
13 Mark well her bulwarks; Consider her palaces; That you may tell it to the generation following.
14 For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death.
The Daily Dose 