Daily Devotion for April 22 - Psalm 87:1 - 3

Verse
Psalm 87:1–3 (ESV)
On the holy mount stands the city he founded; the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God. Selah

Meditation
Zion is not praised for her stones or her strength, but because the Lord Himself has founded her. His favor rests not on the beauty of her walls but on His promise and presence within. He loves her gates—the places where His people gather, pray, and hear His Word. This is the joy of the Church, the true Zion: God dwells in her midst. Through her flows grace, mercy, and the knowledge of salvation. She is built not by men, but by the Word of God and the blood of Christ. The faithful are born within her, adopted into the household of God. And from her, glorious things are indeed spoken—things eternal, sealed by the Spirit, promised from of old.

Old Testament
Isaiah 2:2–3
It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established... and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD... that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.”

Collect
O Lord, who has chosen Zion and made her Your dwelling, grant that we, who are born from above by water and the Spirit, may abide in Your house all the days of our life. Teach us to love the place where Your glory dwells and to delight in the Word that goes forth from Your Church. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Hymn Verse
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.
— Before the Throne of God Above – LSB 574:1