Born in the City
Scripture Reading: Joshua 18-19; Psalm 87
"The Lord records as he registers the peoples, 'This one was born there.'" — Psalm 87:6
I was born in Iowa. Mahaska County Hospital in Oskaloosa, Iowa to be exact. I like saying that for some reason. Out of all of my parents’ children, I am the only one who can claim Iowa as my birthplace. My older brother and sister were born in California, my younger brother in Colorado, but I was born in Iowa.
Psalm 87 is a Psalm which exalts and takes pride in being born in a certain city – Zion.
It is a love song to Zion, the dwelling place of God, the place where heaven touched earth. “The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob” (v. 2). What made Zion so special wasn't its stones or location—but the presence of God among His people.
Today, we know that God's presence is no longer confined to one city or temple. In Christ, the true temple, God has come to dwell with us—and even in us. The glory once tied to Zion now shines in the face of Jesus Christ.
Then comes the astonishing part. God looks at the nations—Egypt, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, Cush—and says of people from those places:
“This one was born in Zion.”
Enemies become citizens. Strangers are counted as family. Foreigners are given native birth certificates. How?
Through the miracle of grace. Through the work of Jesus.
When we are united to Him by faith, we are born again—not of flesh, but of the Spirit (John 3:3–6). And in that moment, God writes next to our names:
“Born in Zion.”
Verse 6 paints a picture of God, pen in hand, recording names:
“The Lord registers the peoples…”
This echoes the Book of Life, the register of the redeemed. If you belong to Christ, your name is there—not because of where you were born or what you’ve done, but because of what He has done for you. You are now a citizen of heaven, a native of God’s city.
The psalm ends with joy:
“All my springs are in you.” (v. 7)
The world may offer many wells, but only in Christ is there living water that satisfies the soul. He is the fountain of every blessing, the source of joy, the wellspring of life. Everything we need flows from Him.
Lord, thank You for calling me Your own. I was once a stranger, but You made me a citizen of Zion. I rejoice that my name is written in Your book, not by merit but by mercy. Help me draw all my life from You, the fountain of grace. Amen.
