“Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces. For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “May you have peace.” For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.” –  Psalm 122:6-9, New Living Translation

A few years ago, I narrowed missed a life-time opportunity to visit Jerusalem in Israel. That I’ll make it there one day is one of my earnest petitions to Jehovah Jireh, our Provider.

I am almost sure that many of you guys would love to visit that ancient city sooner rather than later.

Meaning ‘a vision or foundation of peace,’ Jerusalem was founded more than 3,000 years ago when King David captured a hill town known as Salem/Jebus and identified it as a site for the temple atop Mount Moriah, on which Abraham built an altar to offer his only son, Isaac, to God as a sacrifice but God provided a ram instead.

Holy to the three global faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, the so-called “City of Peace” has been destroyed at least twice; it has been besieged 23 times; it has been attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times!  

During Abraham’s days, Jerusalem was called ‘Salem’ – the city of Melchizedek, king of Salem (Genesis 14:18). In the New Testament, Melchizedek is portrayed as a fore-shadow of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 5:6-7). In short, it is the city of Christ.

Because of the tabernacle, the magnificent temple and the resplendent palaces built by King Solomon, Jerusalem became a centre for the worship of God for the whole world.

It has therefore been a target of heathen rulers and demonic forces throughout the millennia. Indeed, how Jerusalem has survived to this day is nothing but a divine miracle.   

It was first subjugated by the Egyptians and Persians until it was completely destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar’s armies (see 2 Kings 24:25).

Every Jew was carried away into captivity in Babylon for 70 years until the city and the temple were rebuilt under the leadership of Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah.

In the centuries that followed, other world powers took turns to overrun the city including the Greeks, Ottoman Turks, Arabs, Macedonians, Romans, etc, until 20 BC when the temple was rebuilt in preparation for the ministry of our Lord Jesus.

Over the millennia, all the demonic anti-semitic foes that sought to annihilate Jerusalem have disappeared into oblivion – Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek, Roman empire, Ottoman Turkish Empires – are all lying in piles of ruins.

However, Jerusalem was once again completely razed to the ground in A.D 70 by the Roman General Titus.

In A.D 135, all the Jews were expelled from Judea and were forced to scatter to the nations of the world.

The land was named ‘Palestine’ – a name chosen by the Romans to completely sever its connection with Judaism.

The Holocaust was the final vain attempt by the Nazis to wipe a people called Jews off the face of the earth. God still said ‘No way!’

Over the millennia, all the demonic anti-semitic foes that sought to annihilate Jerusalem have disappeared into oblivion – Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek, Roman empire, Ottoman Turkish Empires – are all lying in piles of ruins.

However, Jerusalem has just ‘refused’ to go away because of its central place in biblical prophecy.

The almighty God promised to establish an eternal, earthly kingdom through David’s seed (Jesus Christ) based at Jerusalem.

After the Lord Jesus returns, He will set up His throne in Jerusalem. At the end of the Great Tribulation, all nations will be gathered together against Jerusalem (Joel 3:1-12).

The Lord Jesus Christ will return, destroy the Antichrist, defeat the Gentile armies, and establish His earthly capital in Jerusalem (Joel 3:14-21; Is. 66:15-24).

Jerusalem has therefore survived because God promised that it would be the center of the eternal, omnipotent and universal kingdom.

After God’s purposes for this present age are fulfilled, Jesus Christ will return from heaven and establish His throne on earth and the promises concerning the nation of Israel will be literally fulfilled.

What some people don’t appreciate is the fact that ‘anti-semitism’ and its twin sister, ‘anti-zionism,’ are nothing but the personification of the spirit of hatred for the God represented by Israel and His Christ whose reign is based in Zion.

They are a direct affront on the LORD God who “loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob” (Psalm 87:2). See also Psalm 2:6, 65:1-2.

Our meditation today comes from a poem that celebrates Jerusalem. It commands all God’s people to pray for peace in Jerusalem. 

Additionally, He proclaims the blessing of prosperity on all those who love Jerusalem/Israel.

Also, it suggests that intercession for Jerusalem has implications for the Church and the next generation.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

Prayer:

Almighty God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, thank you for preserving Jerusalem. I pray for peace in Jerusalem. Continue to glorify Your Name as you keep Jerusalem safe and secure. Reign, Lord Jesus, among your enemies until they become Your footstool. In Jesus Name, Amen!