Psalm 87 verse 4 (NIV)
“I will record Rahab and Babylon
among those who acknowledge me—
Philistia too, and Tyre , along with Cush—
and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’”
In this one single verse I was reminded how God can take a life steeped in sin and transform it so that it has a place in the very presence of God.
Rahab was a prostitute who recognised the hand of God, accepted His mercy and became part of the lineage of Jesus. Babylon was a wicked city whose people were only interested in worldly and sinful pursuits.
But here we read that even they and others who scoffed at the ways of God, will come to acknowledge who He is.
Greater still we read that they will come to a place where God Himself will acknowledge them as being one of His own – a citizen of Zion where God dwells. One who can come before His very presence.
Even the worst sinner can come boldly before the throne of God, because of Jesus. We are not defined by our past, but on our willingness to accept the gift of God’s grace. As one hymn writer puts it –
“Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea:
A great High Priest whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on his hands,
My name is written on his heart.
I know that while in Heav’n he stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart,
No tongue can bid me thence depart.”
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the gift of life in Christ that is open to all who will accept it, no matter what our past looks like. Amen.