This Man Was Born There

Psalm 87 is a beautiful picture of belonging.

The psalm begins with Zion, the city of God. But then something surprising happens. In verse 4, nations that were once outside Israel—Rahab, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia—are mentioned, and the repeated declaration is:

“This man was born there.”

Then verse 6 says:

“The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.”

God Himself is pictured as writing the register and as I read this, I think about myself.

I was a Gentile.

By natural birth I had no claim to Zion. I was not born into Israel. I could never give myself a place in God's city or write my own name into His register.

But God sought me. Jesus Christ came for me. He died for my sins. He rose again. He saved me when I trusted in Him and now He calls me His.

The New Testament gives beautiful words to what Psalm 87 points toward:

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;”

Ephesians 2:19 KJV

I was a stranger. Now I am a fellowcitizen.

I was outside. Now I belong to the household of God.

This is not because of where I was born on earth. It is because Jesus gave me new life and our citizenship points beyond an earthly Jerusalem. Hebrews speaks of:

“the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem”

Hebrews 12:22 KJV [Bible Gateway](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+12%3A22&version=KJV%3BNIV%3BCSB%3BNASB1995&utm_source=chatgpt.com)

What grace!

One day, when God gathers His redeemed people from every nation, language, tribe, and background, no child of God will be there as an outsider. Our earthly nationality will not be what gives us entrance. Our family background will not save us. Our religious achievements will not qualify us.

Jesus Christ is our salvation.

I can picture the beautiful thought in Psalm 87: God writing the names of His people and declaring:

“This man was born there.”

Through Christ, I have been given a new belonging.

A new family. A new citizenship. A new home.

I may live here temporarily, but my everlasting home is with God. So when I feel like a stranger in this world, I can remember: I belong somewhere eternal.

Jesus sought me. Jesus purchased me with His blood. Jesus saved me. Jesus calls me His own and by His grace, my name belongs among the citizens of the city of the living God.

Reflection

Do I live with the awareness that I belong to God and that my true citizenship is with Him? Am I more shaped by the temporary things of this world, or by the eternal home Christ has prepared for His people?

Prayer

Father, thank You for seeking me when I was far from You. Thank You for sending Jesus Christ to die for my sins and rise again so that I could be saved. I had no claim of my own, yet through Christ You have brought me near and made me part of Your household. Help me remember that I am no longer a stranger. I belong to You. Teach me to live as a citizen of Your kingdom while I wait for the heavenly Jerusalem and the day when I will be with You forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.