On Signs and Wonders

Scripture:
Just as we heard, so we have seen
in the city of Yahweh of Hosts,
in the city of our God;
God will establish it forever. Selah
Psalms 48:8

Observation: This psalm celebrates "Zion", commonly considered a reference to Jerusalem. It speaks of the city of God, this eternal city with the temple mount. It is a stronghold feared by enemies, that will exist forever.

The structure of the psalm is telling. It has four significant stanzas, but then this one verse physically separate in the middle. The fact this verse is accented by "Selah" - pause and reflect on this - calls this verse out as special.

This verse says that God will establish "it" forever. The assumption is that "it" is the city of Jerusalem. However, the rest of the psalm also discusses several attributes of God himself, which are merely reflected in sentiments about "Mount Zion" ... which itself is not Jerusalem, but is usually considered to be the temple mount by Old Testament writers. Prior to this central verse, the symbol of Zion is ... holy, splendid, and fearful. After the central verse, God himself is ... faithful, loving, and just.

Again, this core verse provides unique insight into the meaning. The speaker is saying he has "heard" of "it", and now has had that confirmed by seeing the city of Yahweh. This "it" must be ... the Lord's greatness. The writer has been taught of God's greatness, and now perceives that greatness confirmed in the wonder of the temple. The writer then re-translates that back to the glory of God's nature. Here is what that structure looks like:

The writer hears: God is faithful, loving, and just.
The writer sees: The temple is holy, splendid, and fearful.
The writer therefore believes: God is faithful, loving, and just.

Application: I am reminded by this structure of the concept of "signs and wonders". Jesus often performed miracles, but also often chided people for needing such things in order to discover their faith. Likewise, I expect that God expected the Israelites to believe in him through his love and mercy as he cared for them as a nation, but then provided signs to focus their faith. The temple was one symbol - the glorious structure unlikely anything any human could have ever seen or imagined in that time.

Today, God still provides signs of his love, power, justice, mercy, and authority. We hear about these things in the Bible, and experience them in our lives, but he also just shows us signs like ... amazing mountains, miraculous survival during disasters, scientific discoveries of complexity that boggle any imagination. God shows himself to us so that we may be reminded of the truth of what we have heard. He has established his throne in heaven - and his faithful and just love for all of his creation - forever.

Prayer: Abba, I thank you this day for your love, and your reminders to us of your love. May I keep you in my heart, and be reminded to be still and reflect upon you, often today. Amen.